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Rule Changes and Points of Emphasis
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2006-07 NFHS BASEBALL RULES CHANGES

Rule 4-4-1f

Allows a team that had to drop down to eight players to return to nine later during the game.

Rule 3-3-1n

Addresses revised penalties for initiating malicious contact on offense or defense.

Transgressions will now result in the ball being immediately dead, and if on offense, the player

is ejected and declared out, unless he has already scored. If the defense commits the malicious

contact, the player is ejected; the umpire shall rule either safe or out on the play and award the

runner(s) the appropriate base(s) he felt they would have obtained if the malicious contact had

not occurred.

Other rules pertaining to malicious contact were also revised, as were their corresponding

entries in the base-running table and dead-ball table.

Rule 6-2-1

This rule states that a ball will be called each time a pitcher brings his pitching hand in contact

with his mouth, either without distinctly wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball

or while in contact with the pitcher’s plate.

Rule 3-2-1

Revised to state that one player or coach may occupy each coach’s box while his team is at bat.

A coach or player occupying the coach’s box shall remain in the box from the time the batter

enters the batter’s box until the release of the ball by the pitcher. If the coach or player steps out

of the box during this time, regardless of who violates the rule, the head coach will be restricted

to the bench/dugout.

Rule 3-3-4)

Stipulates that whenever team members are loosening up in an area that is not protected by a

fence or other structure, another member of the team with a glove must be positioned between

them and the batter to protect them from a batted or thrown ball.

Rule 10-2-1

Revised to specify that when behind the plate, the umpire-in-chief shall wear proper safety

equipment including, but not limited to chest protector, face mask, throat guard, plate shoes,

shin guards and protective cup (if male).

A new signal was adopted that uses the point motion for the start of the game. This will align

NFHS officials with other rules codes to begin a contest and put a ball back in play.

Rule 1-4-4

States that a commemorative or memorial patch, not to exceed 4 square inches, may be worn on

jerseys without compromising the integrity of the uniform.

Head Coaches Required for Pregame Conference
 
  As of the 2006 season, head coaches are required to attend pregame conference near home plate with the umpires.  Assistant coaches and team captains may also attend.  Because the head coach must verify information such as whether his team is legally equipped, it is important for the head coach to be present.  The game should not begin until the head coach makes the verifications.
 
* All umpires should be introduced to the coaches and captains
 
* The plate umpire can give a brief discussion regarding how substitutes are to be reported. If a DH is to be used, that player must be properly notified.  Discuss the ground rules, take note of any facets of the field, such as a tarp that may come in to play. Remember that ground rules cannot supercede book rules.
 
* If there is a time limit, confirm it with the coaches.  When a coin flip is required, ask the calling coach or captain to call heads or tails before flipping the coin.
___________________________
 
FOUL BALL CLARIFIED
 
When an umpire inadvertently calls a fair ball foul ...
 
   According to Rules 2-16-1e and 5-1-1h and the Dead Ball Table, if an umpire inadvertently declares a fair ball foul, the ball will become dead when it hits the ground.  By changing the rule, the committee eliminated a situation in which the defense would be denied an out because of an incorrect call.  If a ball is caught, the ball remains live.  Runners may be advanced at their own risk. 
 
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TEAM PERSONNEL MUST STAY ON THE BENCH
 

Through a change to the Rule 3-3-1ª, no player, coach, substitute, attendant or other personnel may leave the bench during a live ball for an unauthorized reason.

 

Examples of unauthorized reasons include but are not limited to congratulating a teammate who has scored, directing a teammate or retrieving equipment.  The first offense results in a team warning.  Subsequent violators are ejected. 

 

Congratulating a teammate for a home run hit over the fence is allowed since it is considered a dead ball.  However, umpires must be alert for possible unsportsmanlike chatter between players and opponents. 

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New Equipment Rules in Force

 

Rules regarding player equipment have been altered for 2005.  The regulations apply to gloves, helmets and bats. 

 

GLOVES

The glove or mitt worn by a pitcher must not contain the colors white or gray.  There is no Limit to the number of different colors or shades of colors contained by the glove as long as none is white or gray.

Multi-colored gloves are common and are proving popular in the marketplace.  The new rule eliminates a debate whether, for instance, tan and brown were two shades of the same color or two separate colors.

A pitcher’s glove or mitt may also be ordered removed if the umpire decides long laces or other facets of the glove prove distracting.

 

HELMETS

Helmets in the field (1-5-5)  A fielder or pitcher may choose to wear a helmet in the field.  However, the helmet must have a non-glare surface.  It need not have dual ear flaps.  Although it is not common for defensive players other than the catcher to wear head protection, it may occur if a player is protecting an injury.

 

BESR LABELING

BESR labeling )1-3-2)  Effective January 1, 2006, no BESR label, sticker or decal will be permitted on any non-wood bat.  The marking will have to be part of the manufacture of the bat.

 

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more ...  2006 Baseball Rules Changes

 

When can a pitcher  turn their shoulders?

 

The turning of the shoulders in the set position involves the following:

When in the set position (determined by the pitcher's feet) the pitcher may turn his shoulders. He may do this slowly, very quickly, or any where in between. He can turn his shoulders until his hands come together as he comes set. He can now only turn his shoulders to pick off a runner or feint to those bases he can feint to.

When does a pitcher have to go to the plate?

In the WINDUP POSITION the pitcher can hold the ball with his hands (a) together in front of his body; (b) with both hands at his side; (c) either hand in front of his body and the other hand at his side.

(a)With his both hands together in front of his body any movement of an arm or leg represents the time-of-the-pitch and he must deliver the ball to the plate with runners on base.

(b)With both hands at his side he may move one hand at a time to a position in front of his body.  If he moves both hands at once or moves his non-pivot foot in a step backwards, he must continue his motion to the plate or it is a balk.  If he moves his non-pivot foot in a step backwards, no matter what is hands are doing, it represents the time-of-the-pitch.

(c)With either hand in front of his body, he can move his other hand so that they are together, but the time-of-the-pitch is when both he moves his arm/s or moves his non-pivot foot in a step backwards.

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