2016 NFHS Baseball Rule Changes
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA Director of Sports, Sanctioning and
Student Services Slide Comment: Thank you for participating in this
annual interpretation meeting.While the game of baseballis in great
shape, we continue to work toward improving the game and hopefully
putting young people in safe conditions and in situations that they
are able to find success in some aspect of the game.Ultimately, our
goal is for them to be safe, have fun and gain some valuable life
lessons from participation.New additions to our rules are indicated
by underlining of the change.Deletions are noted by a
strike-through of the deleted text. Rule Changes NCHSAA Mission
Statement
Inspiring individuals, encouraging excellence through education
based athletics. The mission of the NCHSAA is to provide governance
and leadership for interscholastic athletic programs that support
and enrich the educational experience of students Core values and
beliefs are shared among the stakeholders of an organization.
Values drive an organization's culture and priorities and provide a
framework in which decisions are made. The core values and beliefs
are the principles that guide the association. Comment on Slide:
This statement appears at the bottom of the Table of Contents page
in the 2015 NFHS Football Rules Book. Core Values & Beliefs
Sportsmanship-following the rules of the game, respecting the
judgment of referees and officials, treating opponents with
respect, respect for one's opponent and graciousness in winning or
losing Integrity-consistency of actions, values, methods measures,
principles, expectations and outcomes - the truthfulness or
accuracy of one's actions Fair Play-a shared interpretation of the
rules, the equal treatment of all concerned, sticking to the agreed
rules, not using unfair advantages Honesty-uprightness and
fairness, truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness, freedom from
deceit or fraud. To consistently seek and speak the truth Respect-a
positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity and
specific actions and conduct representative of the esteem
Equity-fairness, just and right, equitable treatment of all,
dealing fairly and equally with all concerned Fair
Competition-competitors within a competition should have similar
performance potential and performance strength Development of
student-athletes-participation in athletics should aid in the
physiological and psychological development of the student-athlete
Restricted to the Bench/Dugout Rule 3-3-1 Penalty
For any minor violation of Rule 3-3-1f, 1-5, (g-k), the offending
coach will receive a written warning and will be restricted to the
bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. Ejection RULE 3-3-1
Penalty
After the written warning and the coach is restricted to the
bench/dugout, if the coach commits another offense, the umpire
shall eject the coach from the game. Rule Penalty PENALTY: The
umpire shall warn the offender unless the offense is judged to be
major.In which case an ejection shall occur.If the offender has a
subsequent minor violation, the offender shall be ejected.The
warning or ejection shall be made at the end of playing action.
Rule Penalty (cont.) Coaches who receive a written warning
(10-2-3j) shall also be restricted to the bench/dugout for the
remainder of the game.For coaches who violate determine appropriate
action. Rationale: To assist the game official in preventative
officiating and to respond with the appropriate penalty when
dealing with the behavior of the coach. Ejection RULE 3-3-1q If the
umpire deems the offense to be major, such as, physical contact,
spitting, kicking of dirt or any other physical action directed
toward an umpire, the umpire shall immediately eject the coach from
the game. Rule 3-3-1q ART A coach, player, substitute, attendant or
other bench personnel shall not: Sub-articles a-p remain the same.
q. have physical contact, spit, kick dirt, or engage in any other
physical action directed toward an umpire. Rationale: To clarify
additional behaviors that would result in an ejection from the
game. Slide Comment: We will review the other offenses that require
immediate ejection in subsequent slides #23 & #24. Editorial
Changes Compression Sleeves RULE 1-4-2
Legal Illegal Pitchers Uniform RULE 1-4-2
A pitcher shall not wear a white or grey exposed undershirt with
sleeves that extends below the elbow. Rule 1-4-2 ART For individual
playerswhite or gray.Compression sleeves that are solid black or
solid dark-colored shall be the only colors allowed to be worn by
the pitcher below his elbow.A pitcher shall nottype of uniform top.
Rationale: Clarification. Rule (cont.) Uniforms have developed over
the years in regards to style, color and manufacturing processes.
Compression sleeves are designed to provide comfort and support to
the arm(s) of a high school pitcher. They not only provide a useful
purpose but are now designed to accentuate a schools uniform with
creative and decorative style. Rule (cont.) Compression sleeves are
permitted for pitchers under certain circumstances: Compression
sleeves can be worn on either arm, both arms or by itself.
Compression sleeves cannot be distracting to the batter. Pitchers
can wear a white or gray exposed t-shirt,dri-fit style or
compression style shirt as long as the sleeves do not extend below
the elbow. Compression sleeves that extend below the elbow cannot
be white or gray. Per the illustrations, the compression sleeves
that extend beyond the elbow must be solid black or a solid color.
Written Warning Rule 10-2-3j
Umpires will issue a written warning to coaches for any minor
offense. Rule j j. Keep a written record of defensive and offensive
team charged conferences for each team and notify the respective
coach each time a conference is charged to his team.He shall also
be responsible for keeping a lineup card and recording all
substitutes, courtesy runner participation, and team warnings
(1-1-5, 3-4-1, Courtesy Runner Rule #6). Rationale: Editorial.
Slide Comment: When discussing recording of a warning, the intent
of the rule is to keep record of any warning (team or individual).
Points of Emphasis Unsportsmanlike Acts RULE 3-3-1f (1-5)
Penalty
For coaches who violate these acts, the umpire will restrict the
coach to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game or eject
the coach from the game. Intermediate Penalties/Restriction to the
Bench/Dugout
The basic premise for education-based athletics is education. The
adult coach and game official work collaboratively to teach, train,
oversee, model positive behavior and arbitrate the students under
their charge. As part of these teachable moments the game official
is responsible to maintain order and control the contest so both
teams have a fair opportunity to do their best and perform to their
highest level. Intermediate Penalties/Restriction to the
Bench/Dugout
We all should promote preventative officiating. While not listed in
the NFHS Rules book, preventative officiating is practiced by the
more successful and experienced umpires. Verbal and non-verbal
tactics are practiced to let a coach know that you are aware and
understand his concern and that you are doing your best. The coachs
behavior and actions greatly dictate the conclusion of a
discussion. Intermediate Penalties/Restriction to the
Bench/Dugout
Under NFHS Rule and Rule 10, we have provided tools to issue a
written warning and restriction to the bench/dugout and ultimately
ejection from the game. Unless the situation calls for such a
drastic response, ejections should not be your first reaction.
Ejections may be avoided by listening to the coach and attempting
to understand his perspective prior to responding. Intermediate
Penalties/Restriction to the Bench/Dugout
A restricted coach may continue to teach, guide and control his
team while an ejected coach places this same responsibility upon
someone who may not be as reliable. Developing preventative
officiating skills and using the penalty structure that is in place
should make for a healthy and safe environment for all the
participants. Unsportsmanlike Acts RULE 3-3-1l-p
A coach shall not commit any unsportsmanlike act to include, but
not limited to: Unsportsmanlike Acts RULE 3-3-1l-p cont.
l. deliberately throw a bat, helmet, etc.; m. initiate malicious
contact on offense or defense; n. call Time or use any command or
commit any act for the purpose of causing a balk; or o. use tobacco
or tobacco-like products within the confines of the field; p. leave
their positions or bench area during a fight or physical
confrontation. Slide Comment: These specific behaviors will result
in ejection at the end of playing action.Rule 3-3-1f (1-5)
violations would possibly warrant an ejection. Catchers Mask Legal
Illegal
The catcher helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE
standard. Any helmet or helmet mask combination shall have full ear
protection (dual ear flaps). A throat protector, which is either a
part of or attached to the catchers mask, is mandatory. Catchers
Equipment In addition to a head protector and a mask with a throat
protector, the catcher shall wear a body protector, protective cup
(male only) and baseball protective shin guards. Proper Catchers
Equipment
Because of the significant amount of exposure to thrown or batted
balls and thrown bats, the catcher is involved with every pitch and
most of the action at or around home plate.It is imperative that
they are properly equipped. Prior to start of a baseball game, the
head coach verifies that the players are legally and properly
equipped. Proper Catchers Equipment
The catchers helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE
standard which includes having full ear protection with dual ear
flaps. The skull cap and mask combination does not meet the NOCSAE
standard nor does it provide full ear protection with dual ear
flaps and is not permitted for high school baseball. Proper
Catchers Equipment
The catcher shall wear a throat protector which is either attached
or part of the catchers mask.It shall adequately cover the throat.
When a non-adult is in a crouch position and is warming up a
pitcher at any location he shall wear face and head protection with
throat protection and a protective cup (male only). Ensuring that
the catcher is properly equipped will reduce the risk of serious
injury and maximizes his enjoyment of the game. Celebrations During
a home run celebration, team members must remain clear of the
plate, allowing the umpire to observe that all runners have legally
touched the plate. Celebrations A team is permitted to be outside
the bench/dugout area and celebrate during a dead-ball, such as
after a home run. However, Rule 3-3-1f (1-4) does not permit
unsporting behavior and can result in the ejection of players who
taunt or behave in an inappropriate manner.
Sportsmanship-Celebrations around or near home plate
Any walk-off game winning base hit or home run generates immediate
excitement for the player who hit the ball, his teammates and fans.
Adolescent emotion is at its best when a young person does
something successful. Unfortunately, for the team that just gave up
the run or lost the game, their emotion is different and being
jubilant is not their first reaction. Sportsmanship-Celebrations
around or near home plate
Everyone on the winning team wants to congratulate the successful
batter as he turns the corner at third base and heads to home
plate.The problem is that the umpire-in-chief has to be able to
verify that the runner scores. His job becomes exponentially more
difficult if his view is hampered by cheering players along the
third base line and around home plate. North Carolina
interpretationmust be in the grass and not in/on the dirt area.
Sportsmanship-Celebrations around or near home plate
It is important to keep that area around home plate clear of bodies
(and equipment) so the umpire can do his job correctly. In
addition, hovering around the third base line and home plate is a
perfect opportunity for bad sportsmanship actions with taunting and
other boorish behavior. Celebrations will be focused on more
diligently because of the number of poor sportsmanship incidents
being reported throughout the country. Postgame Conduct Umpires
retain jurisdiction and can eject players or coaches until all
umpires have left the field. Even though the game is over, this
coach is subject to ejection. Postgame Conduct Even when all
umpires have left the field, umpires can issue a post-game
ejection. If confronted by a coach, player or fan, umpires are
expected to report the conduct to their state association office.
Postgame Conduct As a reminder, we are still receiving a large
number of postgame incident notifications. The role of the head
coach incorporates being the only coach responsible for
communications with umpires, and it is not the role of anyone else
to dispute, question, or challenge the authority of the umpire.
Postgame Conduct However, additional attention is being placed on
events that are occurring outside the confines of the playing field
that disrupts the overall educational value that students receive
from their participation. Inappropriate behavior outside the
confines of the field can negatively affect the players, coaches
and fans.If allowed it can disrupt the sole purpose of the
contest...education!Education-based athletics provide numerous
benefits. Postgame Conduct They cannot be realized if individuals
prevent the young people from receiving valuable life lessons from
interscholastic baseball. These confrontations can lead to
suspensions, fines and create ill will between umpires and the
schools they serve. If the situation becomes too troublesome and/or
dangerous, it can also lead to involvement by local law
enforcement. Postgame Conduct Umpires and coaches need to work
together.Each contest is another opportunity for coaches and
umpires to teach not only baseball, but also model good sporting
behavior as well. The positive values that are learned will serve
the players long after their baseball experience has concluded.Game
situations typically provide a coach the opportunity to identify a
teachable moment to reinforce good sporting behavior. Arm Care
Concerns Arm Care Slide Comment: We watch the care and concern
often displayed for pitchers at other levels.Each pitch and inning
thrown is meticulously monitored and chartered to maintain the care
of their arms.Shouldnt we do the exact same thing with our young
high school pitchers?Their arms are probably more important to
monitor because the majority of them will not go on to pitch at any
level other than high school and will need their full use of their
arms. Coaches have an obligation to take care of their pitchers.
Arm injuries continue to rise and proper care must be taken. No
single win is worth unnecessary risk or injury to a player. Arm
Care When pitchers indicates theyre injured, the coach should
remove the pitcher from the game immediately. The replacement
pitcher gets as many throws as reasonable to warm up. Arm Care
Taking care of a pitchers arm following a game is one thing that
can be done to help prevent injuries. However, no training or
treatment program will prevent all injuries. Arm Care Concerns
During the first NFHS Baseball Overuse Injury Symposium held on
June 10, 2015, several items were discussed and some risk factors
were identified. A significant percentage of overuse injuries are
avoidable with education. A player who throws more than a 100
innings in a calendar year will have a higher risk (3x) of elbow
and shoulder injuries. Several states are investigating using pitch
counts as their pitching restriction model. Youth programs are
beginning to manage young pitchers better.There will be a similar
expectation at the high school level in the near future. Arm Care
Concerns Some of the risk factors include:
Pitching while fatigued Not taking enough time off from baseball
every year (at least 4 months, with at least 2-3 months being
continuous) Throwing too many pitches and not getting enough rest
during the season Pitching on consecutive days Pitching for
multiple teams at the same time Throwing breaking pitches at too
young of an age NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of
Concussion in Sports
In the Appendix in all of the NFHS Rules Book Slide Comment: The
NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion is in the
Appendix in all of the NFHS Rules Books and was developed by the
NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC). 49 2016 NFHS
Baseball Rules and Case Book as E-Books
Electronic Versions of the NFHS Baseball Rules and Case Book are
now availablefor purchase as e-books. Apple users can visitiTunes
for available books. Apple, Android and Kindle users can buy
e-books from Amazon.com and view them through the Kindle app.
Price:$5.99 each Visit for more information. Slide Comment:
Electronic versions of the 2016 NFHS Baseball Rules Book and Case
Book are now available for purchase as e-books. Tra Waters,
Director Sports & Championships
Baseball Clinic Tra Waters, Director Sports & Championships
Important Dates Date of 1st Practice: February 15th
Date of 1st Contest:No earlier than February 29th Playoff Dates
Reporting Deadline: May 9, 2016 (6 AM) 1st Round: May 11th 2nd
Round: May 14th 3rd Round: May 17th 4th Round: May 20th Regional:
May 24-28th State: June 3-4th Dead Periods Start of Fall sports
practice (Aug. 1st) through midnight Sept. 1st Start of Winter
sports practice (Nov. 2nd) through midnight Dec. 1st Summer Dead
Periods: July 4th July 10th July 18th July 24th Board Approved
Items Adopt facility standards that must be met in order to host
NCHSAA playoffs in all sports Standards will be posted on
NCHSAA.org All NCHSAA member schools are required to have a Cardiac
Safety Program to include three(3) components: An appropriate
number of AEDs on campus relative to athletic facilities An AED
maintenance program Require viewing of short AED/CPR video for all
supervising adults Board Approved Items In a split conference, a
team must finish 1st or 2nd (must have a 34% overall winning
percentage) in its division to be an automatic qualifier. Adopted a
Social Media Policy to be included in the Sportsmanship section of
the Handbook Important Notes & Reminders
Protest Committees:A protest committee should include a minimum of
three school administrators.Parents are not allowed to serve on
this committee. State Championship Series:The higher seeded team
will be designated as the home team for games 1 and 3.If equal
seeds meet, the NCHSAA will draw to determine the home team.
Reminder:Once the seeding process is completed and the brackets
have been finalized, no other team or individual will be
substituted in or added to the brackets as a result of a change in
the reported record (incorrect or adjusted). Season Limitation No
more than 23 total games, or 24 with one being an approved
Endowment Game Handbook update:Teams and individuals are limited to
two games on a school day.The limitation extends to four games, if
on a non-school day. Suspended Game Rule Interruption at any point
prior to the completion of 4 innings = Continued at point of
interruption. If game cannot be resumed or rescheduled, it is a NO
CONTEST. More than 4 played (5 innings complete) AND winner can be
determined = Final After 5 innings Visitor scores tying or go-ahead
run and Home does not have opportunity to bat or complete time at
bat = Suspended Game Suspended Game Rule State Association Adoption
Differs from NFHS
Game called for any reason AND a winner cannot be determined =
Suspended Game If game is to be completed, it must be continued
from the point of interruption Suspended game does not count
against weekly limitation in the week in which it is made up
MaxPreps Official Statistics Provider
Records and standings for post-season qualifications : MaxPreps
Record = Official Record Incorrect record subject to DQ from
playoffs All game results MUST be entered by Saturday, May 7th at
11:59 p.m. Triple check your record! Instructions can be found on
the NCHSAA website Sportsmanship The quality of responsible
behavior characterized by a spirit of generosity and a genuine
concern for opponents, officials and teammates. Wholesome athletic
environment Good Sportsmanship > Victory Modest in victory,
gracious in defeat Respecting judgment and integrity of game
officials Role modeling good behavior Eligibility & Compliance
Eligibility PowerPoint Required viewing for all coaches
Should be done with the athletic director Includes opportunities to
discuss concussions/sudden cardiac arrests/sickle cell, etc.
Eligibility Preseason Meeting Required attendance by all
parents
Time to share rules, regulations, expectations, philosophy etc.
Time to get all required signatures--pledges, Gfeller-Waller
information, etc. NEW FORM Eligibility and Authorization Coaches
Education NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course
All coaches must have satisfied the requirement to take this course
by the first date of competition this season. Complete prior to
first contest; subject to a $500 fine; continuing to coach without
completion = another $500 Coaches Education Concussion Management
Certification The NFHS Concussion Course (free on-line course) or
an equivalent course must be completed by all coaches THIS IS AN
ANNUAL COMMITMENT. Must be taken after June 1, 2015 and prior to
February 15, 2016. Prior to the first date of practice for that
sport; subsequently, the certificate of completion must be on file
at the individual school; subject to $500 fine Gfeller-Waller
Concussion Law
Requirements of the Law: Concussion signs and symptoms Given prior
to participation Parents/athletes sign indicating receipt of Return
to Play (RTP) form signed by a physician licensed to practice
medicine An up-to-date Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Must be on-file
Must be posted Must be updated annually When in doubt, sit them out
New Safety Policy Effective Aug 1, That all head and paid coaches
must be CPR/AED certified. Anyone Can Save a Life Distributed to
Athletic Directors this summer
Guide for preparing your facilities and training your staff to
handle life-threatening emergencies Simple emergency protocol 911,
Early CPR, Early AED use, Early transition to EMS Student Response
Team Coaches, Administrators and Officials are most likely to have
an episode Coaches Education Accredited Interscholastic Coach
(AIC)
Requires completion of 4 courses: Fundamentals of Coaching 1st Aid,
Health & Safety for Coaches Sport Specific Course or Teaching
Sports Skills Concussion in Sports (Free) North Carolina is
currently 7th in the nation. Coaches Education Certified
Interscholastic Coach (CIC)
Completion of AIC requirements Plus: Teaching & Modeling
Behavior Engaging Effectively with Parents Sportsmanship Creating a
Safe and Respectful Environment Strength & Conditioning 2
additional courses (User Choice) North Carolina is currently #1 in
the nation! Sportsmanship Teaching & Modeling Behavior
Course
Required for any coach ejected during a contest Required for any
coach who has player (s) ejected for fighting NFHS Sportsmanship
Course For any ejected/disqualified player Free, on-line course
(nfhslearn.com) All certificates must be sent to NCHSAA Thank you
for your time and commitment to high school baseball.