20162017 RULE CHANGES Obstruction Definition 136 D efensive team member impedes the progress of a runner unless the fielderis IN THE ACT OF CATCHING a thrown ball Intentional or unintentional ID: 662035
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NCAA SOFTBALLRULE CHANGES2016-2017 Slide2
RULE CHANGESSlide3
Obstruction Definition1.36 Defensive team member impedes the progress of a runner unless the fielder….is IN THE ACT OF CATCHING
a thrown ball
Intentional or unintentional….Slide4
Obstruction DefinitionReplaces “about to receive” with “in the act of catching”Longer time frame than being “in the act of catching”
Still involves umpire’s judgmentSlide5
Obstruction Definition“About to receive” gave more protection to fielder without possession of the ballNow they must be in the act of catching the ball—don’t have to judge if ball is closer to base than the runnerSlide6
Obstruction?Slide7
Good Position for Tag PlaySlide8
Artificial Turf2.1 Can use synthetic turf Outfield green
Infield brown and have shorter blades
It is still highly recommended that a skinned infield be used.Slide9
Backstop Padding2.2 Required for 2016If backstop is wood, cement, or brick, it has to be padded from dugout to dugout.Slide10
Field Side Enclosure2.10 Dugout fencingDugout be protected with netting or fencing 6 feet from the floor of the dugout except for entrances/exits.
Required by the 2018 seasonSlide11
Foul Pole2.12 The foul pole shall be a SINGLE COLORC
olor of the foul pole should contrast ball & background so that it will stand out, preferably white or optic orange.Slide12
Foul PoleRequired by 2018, foul poles are minimum of 10’, 20’ preferred and will be white or optic orange.Slide13
Non Traditional Fields2.17.2 Indoor FacilitiesNon regulation size fields that don’t have minimum fence distances (190’ lines; 220’ center)
A fair fly batted ball over fence is ground rule double & each base runner advances two bases.Slide14
Runner’s LaneOld 2.22 Deletes the runner’s lane Batter-runner’s responsibility still same—cannot interfere with fielder receiving throw at firstSlide15
Runner’s LaneEspecially with slappers who will end up running in fair territory then towards the foul line. But to ask them to go the runner’s lane and then back to fair territory to first base is counter intuitiveSlide16
Deletion of Running LaneSlide17
Stepping on Tarp2.25 Creates an effect for a fielder making a play while stepping on a tarp
EFFECT – she will be considered to have entered dead-ball territory.Slide18
Bat Rings3.3.1.3 Deletes the umpire’s use of bat rings to determine if a bat is damagedSlide19
Bat Barrel Color3.3.1.8.5 Barrel must contrast color of ballNo yellow barrel bats—primary color
Player safety—see ball off batSlide20
Example of Yellow Bat ColorSlide21
Pitcher’s Gloves3.6.1 No restrictions on the color of the pitcher’s glove so they can now be same as fielders’ gloves.Slide22
Finish on Helmets3.7.1 Cannot wear highly reflective, mirror-like finish helmets in
any color.
Distracting reflection of light and potential risk to fieldersSlide23
Headgear3.10.2
P
lastic visors, bandanas and handkerchiefs are now allowable headgear, as well as caps, visors, headbands & bows
May be mixed in type but all must be of same predominant color Slide24
Spectator Interference
4.9 Added “or advance a runner” in the Effect
Allows umpire to judge what is appropriate for both teams rather than just the offended teamSlide25
Tournament Video Streaming
5.9.1 Tournament host may stream video of ALL games in its tournament
Not just games their participating inSlide26
Artificial Noisemakers Use
5.11 Added definition: objects used to make noise or amplify sounds….other than body parts, are considered artificial noisemakers
Team warning instead of individual warningSlide27
Suspended Player
6.19.1.9 Forfeited Game
8.3.4.1.7 Improper Player
Game will be forfeited if suspended player (ejected player already listed) is caught participating in a gameSlide28
Illegal Pitch
10.8 Added “If an illegal pitch occurs but the pitch is not released, it is an immediate dead ball
Adds effect for a pitch never releasedSlide29
Hit By Pitch
10.10.5 No Pitch
11.15.3.4 Hit Batter (By Pitch)
No Pitch - Batter hit by pitch that has not yet reached front line of batter’s box (she doesn’t swing or attempt to bunt)—for slappersSlide30
Hit By Pitch
Old rule references a pitch not yet reaching home plate but this change is more appropriate for slappers who don’t let the ball get that deep.Slide31
Intentionally Pitching at Umpire
10.14.2
Eject pitcher, catcher and head coach
Head coach suspended from next two gamesSlide32
Interference by Batter
11.21 Effect
Delayed deal ball signaled
Defensive team shall choose either result of play or batter out and baserunners return to last base legally touched in umpire’s judgmentSlide33
Interference by Batter
If batter strikes out & interferes with potential play:
Batter in box—runner played on is out
Batter out of box—runner closest to home outSlide34
Sliding Out of Baseline
12.13.5 The runner shall not slide out of the baseline nor slide outside her reach of the base she is attempting to slide into in order to slide directly at the fielder
Runner is out and ejected; return baserunners on base back to last base legally touched Slide35
Equipment Misuse
13.6.2 Effect --Head coach warned first. Subsequent violation ejection of head coach as well as abused equipment being removed from game
After warning issued, head coach responsible for actions of his/her playersSlide36
Incident Reports
15.14.3 Filing of incident reports involving NCAA player or team representative
No incident report for violations by NAIA, USCCA, NJCCA and Cal JC playersSlide37
Technology RuleSame as last year:non-uniformed personnel outside team area—no relaying infoNo photos or videotaping from dugout
Neutral area for home & visitors cameras
No cell phones or pagers on fieldSlide38
Points of EmphasisSlide39
Hit By PitchFACILITY– Attention given to appropriately drawn batters boxes—6” from outer edge of line to the side of home platePROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT—player must wear them as designed. Cannot be hanging down from the elbowSlide40
Hit By PitchBATTER’S SET UP IN THE BOX—if they’re toeing the outside edge of the line, their arms and hands will be out of the batters box. If hit by pitch, no base award if they don’t make effort to avoid it or strike if in the zone
COACHES - teach players the right waySlide41
Hit By PitchUMPIRESNote the set up position of each batterConsistent enforcement of the rule
D
on’t bail her out if she’s set up outside batter’s box & pitch hits that part of her bodySlide42
Obstruction“In the act of catching a thrown ball” instead of “about to receive”No need to decide if ball is closer to the base than the runner is.
Now decide whether the defender was positioning herself (not protected) or in the act of receiving the throw (protected).Slide43
ObstructionReminder: for obstruction to be called runner must be impeded in some way that causes her to alter her path to base or denied direct access to the baseBlocking access to base with no noticeable effect on runner is still a “no call”Slide44
Questioning Strike ZoneChanged “arguing balls & strikes” to “questioning the strike zone”Checked swing discussions permissibleSlide45
Questioning Umpire’s JudgmentCoaches cannot question calls based purely on judgment—unless pulled foot, missed tag, 3rd
strike hits ground,
etc
Stoppages disrupt flow of game
Warning and then ejection Slide46
Pitching Rule Slide47
Interpretation 10.2.2While in this position with the hands separated (10. 2.1.2), the pitcher shall pause for a minimum of 2 seconds to take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher.
This pause is interpreted as a noticeable stop of at least 2 secondsSlide48
BAT LISTSSlide49
Bat List DatesBat Lists out 2nd Monday of Dec, March, April and July
December 14—March 14—April 11—July 11
Bat Testing Protocol sameSlide50
Common Practice UpdatesSlide51
UpdatesDead ball cannot become live but live ball can become deadFair ball can become foul; foul ball can’t
bcome
fairSlide52
UpdatesHalted games less than regulation length that are not resumed are declared “no game”
Protest—coach provides correct rule, effect or what was done wrong. Opposing coach can provide input. Umpires decideSlide53
UpdatesFlex can be substituted for at any time by player off benchIf flex is “inactive” (DP on offense & defense), can put sub in 10
th
spot without first re-entering the flexSlide54
UpdatesNo projected substitutions—sub has to immediately participate in the gameExample: 10 will bat for 17 & 17 will re-enter
First fielder fielding batted ball is protected from obstruction. After that if fielder & runner collide incidental unless intentionalSlide55
Committee ReportSlide56
Seven Rules ChangesMinimize risk to players, add to enjoyment of game and assist umpires in consistent enforcement of rules:Padded backstops made of wood, cement or brick required 2016. Minimize violent impact
4-6’ fences with minimum outfield distances by 2017Slide57
Seven Rules ChangesEnclosing field dugouts with netting or fencing required by 2018.
Upward trend in number of batters hit by pitch thus the five points of emphasis
Ground rule doubles vs home runs on indoor facilities with shortened fences to preserve the integrity of the gameSlide58
Seven Rules ChangesRecommendation that foul pole color contrast color of the ball. Recommend white or optic orange. Fouls poles recommended to be 20’. At least 10’ required in 2018
Deleted runner’s lane-contradicts how batter runs to first. NO change in batter-runner not interfering with player receiving throw at first Slide59
VICKIE VAN KLEECKNCAA Secretary Rules Editor
Email - ncaasbsre@gmail.com
Phone - 540-819-4655Slide60