POINTS OF EMPHASIS Points of Emphasis FORCEPLAY SLIDE

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

Points of Emphasis FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide at any base, it must be legal. A legal slide can either be feet first or head first. If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock shall be on the ground. www. nfhs. org

FORCE PLAY SLIDE RESPONSIBILITY With a runner at 1 st base only, the Plate Umpire should be prepared to assist the base umpire on illegal slides at 2 nd base in a double play situation where U 1 must direct his attention to the play at first base. NFHS Umpire Manual Page 28, #4 www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE Runners may not pop-up into the fielder. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE Runners may not have a leg raised higher than the fielder’s knee. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE Except at home plate, runners may not slide through or beyond the base. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE Runners may not slide away from a base in the direction of the fielder. But a runner may slide in a direction away from a fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE The runner is out when he illegally slides. On a force play, the runner is also guilty of interference. The batter-runner is also declared out and all other runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis BASEBALLS RULE 1 -3 -1 Effective January 1, 2020 the SEI/NOCSAE mark and the NFHS authenticating mark is required on all baseballs that meet the NOCSAE standard that will be used in high school competition. Rationale: To maintain a consistent and uniform standard for high school competition. To ensure that every baseball manufactured meets the same level of quality and playability. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis COMPLIANT BASEBALLS § The home team is required to supply THREE umpire-approved baseballs at the start of the game. § If the home team cannot supply compliant baseballs, ask the visiting team to supply them. If the visiting team can’t or refuses to supply compliant balls use whatever baseballs the home team can supply. § Lack of compliant baseballs is NOT a reason to terminate a game. PLAY THE GAME! However, you must report the failure of the school supply compliant baseballs ASAP to the chapter secretary, who will relay the report to NJSIAA. § Playing with non-compliant balls is NOT a safety concern. The NOCSAE endorsement is not a safely certification. It is there to standardize baseballs. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis COMPLIANT BODY AND CHEST PROTECTOR The catcher’s body/chest protector shall meet the NOCSAE standard effective Jan. 1, 2020. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis CHEST AND BODY PROTECTOR RULE 1 -5 -3 § The catcher shall wear, in addition to a head protector, a mask with a throat protector, body/chest protector that meets the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture (Effective January 1, 2020), protective cup (male only), and baseball protective shin guards. The SEI/NOCSAE mark is required on all body/chest protectors that meets the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture that will be used in high school competition. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis CHEST AND BODY PROTECTOR RATIONALE RULE 1 -5 -3 A SEI/NOCSAE standard has been developed to protect the heart and the cardiac silhouette from commotio cordis. The NOCSAE standard could be included in a product that is either a separate device/apparel or a device constructed into a traditional chest protector. This proposal is recommended and endorsed by the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) to minimize risk. The catcher has to wear either a chest protector that meets the NOCSAE standard or a body protector that meets the NOCSAE standard underneath a traditional chest protector. It is the responsibility of the coach to verify that his/her players are properly equipped and in uniform. Don’t go looking for trouble!! www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis This NOCSAE approved attachment fits over an existing chest protector and is legal www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis CATCHER CARDIO GUARD COMPRESSION SHIRT Designed to meet the new mandatory NCAA and NFHS guidelines, the Evo. Shield NOCSAE® Protective Chest Guard and Shirt is designed for athletes of all ages who want unrivaled protection without sacrificing mobility or performance. Unlike other cumbersome chest protectors designed to meet the NOCSAE® Chest Protector Standard for Commotio Cordis, our protection is an easy-to-wear compression shirt that features a removable guard. This guard is made of SAS-TEC™ material created specifically to absorb impact - while giving athletes an ergonomically contoured fit on the field. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis BODY PROTECTOR EXAMPLES www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis COMPLIANCE OF PLAYER EQUIPMENT A face mask/guard specifically designed for a particular helmet model may be attached after manufacture, provided that procedure is approved by the manufacturer and meets the SEI/NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis REMEMBER! It is the responsibility of the coach to verify that his/her players are properly equipped and in uniform. Don’t go looking for trouble!! www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis PROPER PITCHING POSITIONS Enforcement of legal pitching positions continues to be lacking in certain parts of the country. Coaches are pushing for the Hybrid position to be legal. The Rules Committee is adamant that there are only 2 legal positions. Permitting the Hybrid is a disservice to the offensive team. NFHS Baseball Webinar January 23, 2020 www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis PROPER PITCHING POSITIONS The windup is one of two legal pitching positions. For the windup, the pitcher’s non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis PROPER PITCHING POSITIONS The set is one of two legal pitching positions. For the set position, a pitcher shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate and with his pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis PROPER PITCHING POSITIONS Pitchers are no longer required to have their entire pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. This recognizes that many mounds are such that it is problematic for the pitcher to have his entire pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis PROPER PITCHING POSITIONS The so-called hybrid stance is illegal as it does not meet the requirements of either the windup or set positions. www. nfhs. org

ENFORCEMENT OF NFHS JEWELRY RULE (NO CHANGE) q Jewelry: Shall not be worn except for religious or medical medals. This includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings. q A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. q Medic alerts bracelets must be taped and must be visible. q For any other “jewelry” worn for medical reasons, the coach must have written NJSIAA approval. i. e. Daith ear piercing. ## www. nfhs. org

DAITH EAR PIERCING IS LEGAL (NO CHANGE) The use of this device is LEGAL. The device can help alleviate the symptoms of migraine headaches. The piercing passes through the ear's innermost cartilage fold called the crus of the helix. The Head Coach of athletes wearing this device should have a note from NJSIAA and a doctor’s note authorizing its use. If the athlete does not have a doctor’s note let the athlete play the game with the device. Then follow up with the NJSIAA to report the athlete and the school. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis 2 HOUR TIME LIMIT FOR SUB-VARSITY GAMES The NJSIAA Baseball Rules Committee recommended that all conferences adopt this rule for sub-varsity. NJSIAA will post conferences that adopt the rule on their website as information becomes available. Umpires and Coaches will identify the official time piece at pre-game conference. Ø Clock begins with the umpire announcing “PLAY”. Ø The third out of the bottom half of an inning begins the new inning. Ø If the third out occurs at 1: 58, the next inning shall be played to completion. 10 Run rule will still apply if it occurs prior to the 2 hour time limit is reached. www. nfhs. org

RECERTIFICATION EXAM: 4 CORRECTIONS § The NFHS approved signal for indicating that an umpire has some relevant information for HIS/HER PARTNER TO TAP his/her left chest (heart). ” Add red text. § With R 1 on fist base and no outs, B 1, hits a grounder that F 3 attempts to field but does not touch. The ball hits R 1 running towards second base but in front of F 4 getting ready to field the ball. The umpires should RULE R 1 OUT FOR INTERFERENCE. Add red text. § B 1 lays down a bunt up the first baseline. F 2 fields it and throws to first in an attempt to retire B 1. As B 1 is running to first he is straddling the baseline, with his right foot in foul territory and his left foot in foul FAIR territory. The throw goes just over his left shoulder and the first baseman ducks and misses the throw. The Umpire should: The second “foul” should be “FAIR. ” § The pitcher, with his pivot foot parallel to and in contact with the pitcher’s plate, does not come to a complete stop and delivers a pitch. There is no one on base and the batter hits a home run. The umpire should: …" has the answer choices as A, B, A. (no C) The second “A” should be “C. ” www. nfhs. org

National Federation of State High School Associations PO Box 690 | Indianapolis, IN 46206 Phone: 317 -972 -6900 | Fax: 317. 822. 5700 www. nfhs. org | www THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT BASEBALL SEASON!