National Federation of State
High School Associations
2009 UHSAA SOFTBALL
ON-LINE RULES CLINIC
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
7200 South 199 East
801-566-0681 / Fax 801-566-0633
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
UHSAA HANDBOOK
 Softball Contest Limitations (page 42):
“22 games. Each game played counts as one game.”
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Sanctioning Requirements (pages 26 & 38)
Scholastic Rule (pages 21 & 29)
Limited Team Membership (page 22 &35)
Suspended Game Procedures (page 43)
Sportsmanship Conduct (pages 44 & 45)
Lightning Safety Precautions (page 51-52)
AVAILABLE ON-LINE@uhsaa.org
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National Federation of State
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UHSAA YEARBOOK
 State pairings and brackets
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Ten Run Rule (after 5 innings), 15 Run Rule (after 3 innings)
Suspended Game Rule (4-2-3) will NOT be in effect –
Suspended Game Rule in the UHSAA Handbook and
The Official’s Guidebook WILL BE in effect.
An optic yellow ball is the sanctioned softball.
Dudley SB-12L.47 Core) will be used at State Tournament.
No time limits at varsity level (2A-5A). If a time restriction
must be used, a 1 and ½ hour time limit may be used. No limit
for playoffs.
 Sub-Varsity games will have a 1 ½ hour time limit.
 International tie-breaker will be used when appropriate.
 Double first bases are approved for use in all games.
AVAILABLE ON-LINE@uhsaa.org
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Resources @ uhsaa.org
COACHES
UHSAA Handbook
UHSAA Yearbook
Health Exam Forms
Tryout Checklist
Academic All-State List*
Sanctioned Events
Sportsmanship Guide
Calendar / Tentative for ’09-10
Ready Reference Guide
OFFICIALS
Becoming an official
Registration Form
Officials Pay
Officials Guidebook
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
March 2 Beginning practice and team selection date
March 9 First softball games may be held
March 13 ELIGIBILITY LISTS ARE DUE
April 10 Deadline for softball rosters and pictures
April 21 Deadline for Academic All-State (Accepted after 3/31)
May 8-9
2A STATE SOFTBALL (Spanish Fork)
May 14-16 3A STATE SOFTBALL (Spanish Fork)
May 19-21 4A, 5A STATE SOFTBALL (Valley Complex)
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
UHSAA Coaches Training (Handbook, Article V)
“All head coaches and paid assistant coaches must receive
certification in both First Aid and CPR prior to coaching. All
head coaches and paid assistant coaches must receive
coaching training by June 30th of the school year in which
they begin coaching. A head coach or paid assistant shall
be prohibited from coaching a second year except that
said person complete the UHSAA/USOE coaches training
program. Head coaches and paid assistant coaches with a
major, minor or endorsement in physical education and/or a
minor in coaching are considered trained.”
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
THREE OPTIONS FOR COACHES TRAINING:
• Check with your principal and/or district to see
if they have arranged a training for the coaches.
• Contact a certified NFHS/UHSAA instructor from
the list posted at uhsaa.org under “training.”
• Complete the Fundamentals of Coaching On-line
course @ www.nfhslearn.com
**Contact Rob Cuff @ UHSAA with any questions
regarding coaches training (801-566-0681).
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Softball $40.00 (Var) $35.00(JV/Soph) $45.00 (Post).
$.34 per mile over 50 / Rider $.05 per mile over 50.
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
• Training through your Association
• New NFHS On-Line Educational Program
nfhs.org/web/2006/08/officials_education.aspx
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is
introducing an online educational program that will integrate the modern
technologies of video -- game and staged footage, animation and
interactive forms to help better educate officials throughout the country.
This online program will enable officials to view and understand a
concept that is normally difficult to grasp, such as positioning on a field,
and to see it in a real-life setting…
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
SOFTBALL UMPIRES
VOLLEYBALL
OFFICIALS
On-Line Clinic & Quiz (February 12 - March 23)
Registration Deadline is March 4, 2009
Part 1 ON-LINE available February 2 - March 23 only
Link at uhsaa.org / Create account / Open Book
Must score at least 80% or higher to be certified
Only certified umpires can work UHSAA games
After two attempts a $15 per submitted test
Part 2 Test Mailed March 24 (only if requested / Open Book)
Email request to wagstaff@uhsaa.org
90% or higher. DUE at UHSAA by April 7th!
Part 2 only required for POST-SEASON
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
UMPIRES
UNIFORM
VOLLEYBALL
OFFICIALS
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Powdered blue shirt (pullover or button style)
If worn, undershirt must be white with short sleeves
Heather gray slacks
Navy blue jacket, pullover knit sweater, cap
Navy blue ball bag (plate umpire only)
Black shoes, socks and belt
Arrive 30 minutes prior to game!
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
LEADERSHIP
VOLLEYBALL
OFFICIALS
SOFTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION
LoaKay Bowthorpe, Union, 435-725-4525
lbowthorpe@dcsd.org
OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
Salt Lake Area - Larry Colledge, (801)243-0893
southcut1@aol.com
Northern Area - Jerry Coleman, (801)773-0755
jclc723@msn.com
Utah County Area - Russ Carter, (801)377-8274
russ_carter@byu.edu
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
NFHS Softball
2009
Rules Changes
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National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Pitching Windup Revolutions
(6-1-4d)
 Pitcher may not exceed 1½ clockwise
revolutions in windmill windup
 Clockwise as viewed by first base
umpire
 Rule changes to provide better balance
between offense and defense
 Illegal pitches easier to identify and enforce
by umpires
Pitcher Time Limit Penalty
(6-2-3 Penalty)
 Change makes time-limit penalties
consistent for batter (strike) and
pitcher (ball)
 Pitcher may NOT intentionally
violate time limit four times to issue
an intentional walk to the batter
 Umpire shall issue a warning to
pitcher and coach – subsequent
violation results in ejection of both
National Federation of State
High School Associations
NFHS Softball
2009
Major Editorial Changes
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Timeframe to Deliver Next Pitch
(6-2-3; 7-3-1)
 Clarified that the time frame to
deliver the next pitch begins when
the ball is returned to the pitcher to
prepare for the next pitch
 Alleviates any confusion when the
ball is “returned” to the pitcher for a
play at the plate after a wild
pitch/passed ball
Timeframe to Deliver Next Pitch
(6-2-3; 7-3-1)
 The count would not begin until the
play at the plate was over and the
pitcher was returning to the circle
 In this case, it is umpire judgment
as to when she is “preparing for the
next pitch”
Uniform Style Exceptions
(3-2-1)
 Permits the state association to
make an exception to the uniform
color/style rule for religious reasons
 Schools wanting to request an
exception for a student-athlete’s
uniform should contact the state
high school association
National Federation of State
High School Associations
NFHS Softball
2009
Points of Emphasis
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Pitching
 Second consecutive year as POE
 Improvements have been made
 Still room for more improvement
 Rule in place for a reason
 Dominant pitchers receive an unfair
advantage if illegal pitches are not
called
 Umpires refusing to enforce the rules
do a disservice to the game
Legal Drag Video Clip You must click to play.
Leap
 Leap = Both feet are airborne by the
pitcher prior to the release
 Pivot foot must stay in contact with
the ground as it drags away from the
plate until the lead foot touches the
ground
 If both feet are off the ground at the
same time – an illegal pitch shall be
called by the base umpire
LEAP Video ClipYou must click to play.
Crow Hop
 Crow Hop = A replant of the pivot
foot prior to releasing the ball
 This is done by:
• Sliding the foot in front of the plate
• Lifting the pivot foot and stepping
forward
• Jumping forward with the pivot foot
off the plate prior to starting the
pitch
Crow Hop
 Pitcher must have:
• Pivot foot partially on top of
the plate
• Both feet within 24-inch length
of plate
Crow Hop
 Umpires can determine a replant by
looking at the location of the pivot
foot when the hands separate to
start the pitch
 If the pivot foot is off and in front of
the plate before the hands
separate, a crow hop has occurred
– an illegal pitch is called by the
base umpire
National Federation of State
High School Associations
CROP HOP Video ClipYou must click to play.
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24-Inch Plate Violation
 Both feet must start within or
partially within the 24” width of the
pitching plate
 The stride and pivot foot must
remain in or partially within the 24”
width of the pitching plate
throughout the windup and delivery
 Home plate umpire is responsible
for this call
2424”
inch
Video
Clip – Video
PLATE
Violation
You must click to play.
Obstruction/Interference
 Improvements made in this area
due to clear definitions and rules
changes
 Umpires must continue to enforce
the rules properly
Obstruction
 Requires a clear defensive
infraction
 Two conditions must exists for
obstruction to occur:
• Defensive player is blocking
runner’s access to a base or path
without being in possession of the
ball
• Runner is impeded or hindered
Obstruction
 Both situations must be present
 If a fielder is blocking a base without
the ball and the runner has not been
impeded in any way – NO obstruction
• Impede = slowed down or path is
altered
 If fielder obtains the ball before
runner is hindered – NO obstruction
Obstruction
 If the fielder’s location limits the
runner’s access to the base or path
AND the fielder does NOT yet have
the ball – OBSTRUCTION
Interference
 Base runner has responsibility to
avoid contact with a fielder
attempting an initial play on a fair
batted ball
 If contact occurs, interference is
called, the ball is dead and the
runner is out
 Other runners return to last base
touched at time of interference
Interference
 Responsibility changes after initial
play opportunity has passed –
fielder no longer protected
 Once a fielder (except the pitcher)
misplays the fair batted ball, and
the ball is beyond a step and reach
from that fielder and contact occurs
– obstruction is called and a
delayed dead ball is signaled
Umpiring –
Obstruction/Interference
 Umpires must maintain proper
positioning and stay attuned for
potential obstruction or interference
violations
 Proper calls and signals are
essential
 Even when the award may be the
base already obtained by the
obstructed runner
Umpiring –
Obstruction/Interference
 Defense must be aware they have
committed an infraction
 So they don’t commit the same
infraction again – when the
situation is more significant and the
penalty more costly
DP/FLEX
 POE is refresher for coaches and
umpires to better understand and
utilize DP/FLEX rule
 Originally adopted in 2004 because it
gives coaches more flexibility and
student-athletes more participation
opportunities
DP/FLEX – For Coaches
 Basic rules to remember:
1.Decide the ten players you want as
starters
• List those who will bat in slots 1 thru 9
• List the remaining player – FLEX – on
the 10th line
2.Fill in the defensive positions and the
player not initially playing defense as
the DP
DP/FLEX – For Coaches
3. When making lineup changes:
• The DP cannot play defense only;
the FLEX cannot play offense only
• When the DP spot in the order
comes up – the DP, FLEX or a legal
substitute must bat or run bases
• The DP may replace anyone on
defense at any time, any number of
times
DP/FLEX – For Coaches
• The FLEX may replace the DP any
time, any number of times
• When any of the first nine leaves the
batting order – they have left the
game
• When the FLEX doesn’t play
defense – she has left the game
DP/FLEX – For Coaches
 Coaching Strategies – how to
utilize the DP/FLEX rule based on
the skills of your players
 Two strategies listed in POE
portion of Rules Book
 Three additional strategies found
on NFHS Website
DP/FLEX – For Umpires
Maintaining your lineup card:
1. DP/FLEX option may be used
provided it is made known prior to start
of game
2. DP’s name is on lineup as one of nine
hitters in batting order
3. Player for whom DP is batting (FLEX)
placed in 10th position in lineup
DP/FLEX – For Umpires
4. Legal substitute may replace DP
at any time or FLEX may bat for
DP – DP has left game
5. DP may play defense at any
position
6. Legal substitute may replace FLEX
at any time or DP may play defense
for FLEX – FLEX has left game
DP/FLEX – For Umpires
7. Illegal substitution if FLEX goes in to
bat for anyone but the DP
8. Team may go from 10 to 9 players
any number of times or end the
game with 10 or 9 players
9. DP and FLEX may never be on
offense at the same time – but may
be on defense at the same time
Quiz and Confirmation
The deadline for credit for this clinic has passed.
The clinic remains on-line as a reference.