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NCAA SOFTBALL RULE CHANGES
2016-2017
RULE CHANGES
Changes the definition of obstruction…
Rule 1.36 The act of a defensive team member that hinders or impedes a batter’s attempt to make contact with a pitch or that impedes the progress of a runner who is legally running the bases, unless the fielder is in possession of the ball, is fielding a batted ball or is in the act of catching a thrown ball. The act may be intentional or unintentional and applies to live–ball action only.
Rationale: • Replaces "about to receive” with
“in the act of catching” to better define specific protected action.
• “About to receive” is a longer time frame than being “in the act of catching” a thrown ball.
Artificial Turf Rule 2.1 A synthetic turf surface field may be used for collegiate competition. It is recommended that the outfield portion be green and, if there is an infield portion, it should be brown and have shorter blades than the outfield portion. Rationale: Provides direction to those considering an artificial infield or outfield surface.
Backstop Padding Rule 2.2 When the backstop is wood, cement, or brick, it shall be padded from dugout to dugout. Rationale: Changes were approved in 2011 and the requirement goes into effect for the 2016 season.
Dugout (Bench) Rule 2.10 Dugout fencing It is highly recommended that the field side of the dugout be protected with netting or fencing no less than 6 feet from the floor of the dugout except for designated entrances/exits. • Required by the 2018 season.
Rationale: Creates a separation of players and field. In addition, this change will keep more errant throws in play and reduce the number of awarded bases. Finally, the netting/fencing will provide protection from foul batted balls and errant throws to those in the dugout. Note that the old last sentence (Consideration should be given to enclose the field side of dugouts with netting or fencing) will be deleted by 2018.
Foul Pole Rule 2.12 The foul pole shall be a SINGLE COLOR. • Color of the foul pole should contrast with the ball
and background so that it will stand out, preferably white or optic orange.
• Required by 2018, foul poles at institutional fields shall be a minimum of 10’ high (20 feet is recommended) and will be white or optic orange.
Non-regulation Fields Rule 2.17.2 Indoor Facilities When playing on a non-regulation field, a dome or multi-use facility due to weather conditions, the field should have minimum fence distances as noted in Rule 2.11. If the actual fence distances are shorter and a fair batted fly ball clears this distance, the batter shall be awarded a ground-rule double, not a home run, and each base runner advanced two bases.
Runner’s Lane Old 2.22 table; Deletes the runner’s lane Rationale: • This change only changes the look of the field but has
no effect on the batter-runner’s responsibility to not interfere with the fielder receiving the throw at first base and she still cannot deviate from her base path nor move backward if a fielder is attempting a tag play.
• However, because coaches do not teach the inefficiency of having their batter-runners (especially slappers) hit the pitch, run to the lane, and then veer back to fair territory to touch first base, the runner’s lane has become an unnecessary line on the field.
Deletion of Running Lane
OLD NEW
Stepping on Tarp Rule 2.25 Creates an effect for a fielder making a play while stepping on a tarp. Effect : The fielder steps on the tarp, she will be considered to have entered dead-ball territory. Rationale: There was no effect listed for this rule.
Bat Rings Rule 3.3.1.3 Deletes the umpire’s use of bat rings to determine if a bat is damaged. Rationale: Umpires have not used bat rings when inspecting bats for damage.
Bat Barrel Color Rule 3.3.1.8.5 The bat barrel shell color(s) shall be of a color contrasting the ball. • No yellow barrel bats—primary color. • Player safety—see ball off bat.
Example of Yellow Bat Color
Pitcher’s Gloves Rule 3.6.1 All players gloves/mitts may
not be the color of the ball but they may be any combination of the other colors. Note: This includes the pitcher’s glove.
Finish on Helmets
Rule 3.7.1 Offense: Cannot wear highly reflective, mirror-like, chrome-finish helmets in any color.
Headgear
Rule 3.10.2 Plastic visors, bandanas and handkerchiefs are now allowable headgear, as well as caps, visors, headbands & bows. They may be mixed in type but all must be of same predominant color.
Spectator Interference
Rule 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 team.
Tournament Video Streaming
Rule 5.9.1 A tournament host may stream
video of all games in its tournament and is not restricted to filming and streaming video of only games in which it is a participant.
Artificial Noisemakers Use
Rule 5.11 Added definition: objects used to make noise or amplify sounds to show support, approval or opposition to playing action, other than body parts, are considered artificial noisemakers. The use of musical instruments and misuse of equipment to make noise are addressed separately in Rules 5.13 and 13.6.2. • Effect: Such instruments shall be removed from the spectator
areas by game personnel. Team warning is issued and changes it from an administrative to behavioral ejection.
• Rationale: These allow the umpire to warn a team one time
rather than issue multiple warnings to specific individuals. In addition, it is more appropriately a behavioral rather than administrative issue.
Suspended Player
Rule 6.19.1.9 Forfeited Game and
Rule 8.3.4.1.7 Illegal Player • The game will be forfeited if suspended
player (ejected player already listed) is caught participating in a game.
Illegal Pitch
Rule 10.8 Effect Exception: Added “If an
illegal pitch occurs but the pitch is not released, it is an immediate dead ball. Rationale: Addresses the effect for a pitch never released.
Hit By Pitch
Rule 10.10.5 and 11.15.3.4
If the batter is hit by a pitch that has not yet reached the front of the batter’s box, assuming she did not swing or attempt to bunt the effect: The ball is dead; no pitch, and all subsequent action on that pitch is canceled.
Intentionally Pitching at Umpire
Rule 10.14.2 The pitcher shall not intentionally attempt to hit an umpire with a pitch. Effect: If, in the umpire’s judgment, such a violation has occurred, the umpire shall eject the pitcher, catcher and the head coach (Behavioral ejections; see Rules 13.2.1 and 13.7). In addition, the head coach shall be suspended from the institution’s next two previously scheduled and played contests in a traditional season (spring).
Interference by Batter
Rule 11.21 Batter inference occurs while the batter is at bat and before she completes her turn at bat. Effect: Umpires shall signal a delayed dead ball. The defensive team shall choose either the result of play or the batter is out and each base runner shall return legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
Interference by Batter
Exception: If a batter strikes out and while
still in the batter’s box interferes with the catcher’s attempt to throw out a base runner the base runner being played on is out, not the runner closest to home.
Sliding Out of Baseline
Rule12.13.5 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. Effect: The ball is dead, the runner is out and ejected, and each other runner shall return to the last base legally touched at the time of the infraction. Rationale: This is an additional example of unnecessary contact between players that results in the runner who targets the fielder rather than the base being called out and ejected.
Equipment Misuse
Rule 13.6.2 No player or coach shall use equipment in any way other than what is intended by the manufacturer.( example banging ball on dugout) Effect – When brought to the attention of the umpire by the opposing coach, the umpire shall issue a warning to the head coach. Subsequent violations shall result in the abused equipment being removed from game and the ejection of head coach. Rationale: Holds the head coach accountable for the actions of his/her players after a warning is issued and removes the distraction for the umpire to identify the exact violator in the event of a subsequent violation (previously the violator was ejected).
Verbal Misconduct Rule 13.8.4 Questioning the strike zone and any call based purely on umpire’s judgment. Effect: A team warning shall be issued for the first offense in a game. Subsequent violations by the same team shall result in a behavioral ejection of the violator.
Note; A coach or player may, on occasion, request feedback regarding the specific location of a pitch or request a rule clarification without applying Rule 13.8.4 as long as it is not made in an argumentative manner and it does not delay the game. Rationale: “Questioning the strike zone” replaces “arguing balls and strikes” to allow for discussion of a called ball to be changed to a strike due to a checked swing. The constant questioning of judgment calls that will not be changed unnecessarily delays play and is often an unsporting act designed to ruin the opponent’s momentum or stall for a player for a player to warm-up. Either violation will now result in the perpetrator’s ejection.
Incident Reports
Rule15.14.3 The filing of incident reports
involving NCAA player or team representative is the responsibility of the ejecting umpire. Incident report for violations by NAIA, USCCA, NJCCA and Cal JC players is not mandated.
Pitching Rule
Interpretation Rule10.2.2 • While 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 seconds.
BAT LISTS
Bat List Dates Bat Lists will be posted the 2nd Monday of Dec, March, April and July December 14—March 14—April 11—July 11 Bat Testing Protocol same.
Common Practice Updates
Updates
• Rule 1.14 Dead ball can not become live but live ball can become dead.
• Rule 11.4 and 11.5 A fair ball can become foul; foul ball can’t become fair.
Updates • Rule 6.17.5 Halted games that are less than
regulation length and are not resumed are declared “no game.”
• Rule 7.2.5.1 Protesting coach provides the correct rule, effect or misapplication of the rule. The opposing coach can provide input. Umpires explain the ruling using the rules book or if necessary call to the SRE to resolve the issue.
Updates • Rule 8.2.4.3 The flex can be substituted
for at any time by a player off bench.
• If flex is “inactive” (DP on offense and defense), a coach can enter a sub in 10th spot without first re-entering the flex.
Updates • Rule 8.5.1.1 No projected substitutions—sub
has to immediately participate in the game. Example: 10 will bat for 17 & 17 will re-enter. • Rule 12.13.3(note) The first fielder fielding a
batted ball is protected from obstruction. After that if fielder and the runner collide it is incidental unless it is intentional.
