NCAA SOFTBALL RULE CHANGES 2016-2017

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.
VICKIE VAN KLEECK
NCAA Secretary Rules Editor
Email - [email protected]
Phone - 540-819-4655