UMPIRE MECHANICS 2020 NO CHANGES www nfhs org

UMPIRE MECHANICS – 2020 NO CHANGES www. nfhs. org

NFHS UMPIRE SIGNAL The approved signal for communicating with a partner(s) that an umpire has some relevant information that may help in making a decision is to tap the left chest in the heart area. www. nfhs. org

CORRECTING A DECISION The UIC may rectify any decision in which a reversal places another team at a disadvantage. The UIC has the authority to make a final decision on a point not covered by the rules. www. nfhs. org

HALF SWING APPEALS On a half-swing Base Umpires shall respond only if the Plate Umpire asks. In THREE-MAN Mechanics, the PU should appeal to the: • FIRST BASE umpire on right-handed batters. • THIRD BASE umpire on left-handed batters Even if they are in Position B or C. NFHS Umpire Manual Page 64 Half-swings www. nfhs. org

HALF SWING APPEALS TO THE “OTHER” SIDE Should the PU appeal to the FIRST BASE UMPIRE on left-handed batter in TWO-MAN Mechanics? YES! Everybody has an opinion on the swing, even the BU. Advice: the BU should stay with the PU’s call unless he is 100% sure he saw the batter offer at the pitch. It’s usually a good idea to check with the base umpire anytime the defense asks for an appeal on a half swing. • It shows that you’re willing to cooperate. • The base umpire has the final decision. • Arguing the base umpire’s decision is arguing balls and strikes. www. nfhs. org

COACH EJECTION, RESTRICTION TO BENCH For contentious situations involving the head coach, umpires have the option to restrict rather than eject. Whenever an assistant coach is restricted or ejected, the head coach must also be restricted to the bench. Restricting a coach does NOT require a DQ report to NJSIAA. NFHS Umpire Manual Page 33, #13 www. nfhs. org

PLAYER EJECTION, RESTRICTION TO BENCH § Umpires do NOT have the option to restrict players. Even for minor misbehavior to avoid a DQ report. § Players may ONLY be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, flagrant verbal or physical misbehavior. This kind of ejection requires a DQ report. § Several rules require a player to be ejected for a playing rule violation. Examples: fake tag, jewelry, etc. , after a warning. § When a player is ejected for a playing rule violation a DQ report to NJSIAA is not required. ## www. nfhs. org

PLAYER EJECTION, RESTRICTION TO BENCH § Umpires may not pile on an ejection to a rule violation where a penalty is already specified in the rule. § Ejection/restriction is the only penalty available when the violated rule does not specify a penalty. § Umpires may not take back an ejection/restriction. § In NJ ejected players must remain on the bench under his coach’s supervision. ## www. nfhs. org

PLAYER/COACH EJECTION REPORTING § When a player or coach is ejected/restricted the umpire MUST inform the head coach or acting head coach whether a DQ report will be submitted to NJSIAA. (So the team can plan suspensions. ) § If an DQ report is to be submitted: ü The AD of the ejectee must be called via phone by noon of the next day, even if it’s a weekend or holiday. It’s OK to leave a voice mail if not answered. You may have the chapter secretary make the call for you. ü The DQ report must be submitted on-line only via NJSIAA. org within 48 hours after the end of the game with the ejection. User-ID/Pswd: DQ, DQ www. nfhs. org

FLY BALL COVERAGE Base Umpire(s) in a 2 -man or 3 -man crew shall use the Pause-Read-and react technique to determine whether a batted ball to the outfield is a “trouble ball” which requires a base umpire to “go out” to the outfield or whether it is a routine fly ball or clean base hit which does not require an umpire to leave the infield. NFHS Umpire Manual Page 61 www. nfhs. org

MISCELLANEOUS § Do not stay for post-game handshakes! When the game ends leave the field promptly, together with your partner(s) through a neutral exit. If you must exit via a team’s dugout, choose the winner’s dugout. § Transgender policy - Do not prevent any player from participation. Direct any opposing coach’s objections to NJSIAA. § Heat Policy – Home school has the authority to stop a game for heat. § Religious headwear – Headwear worn for religious reasons are allowed except where it conflicts with safety. i. e. when a helmet must be worn. § NJSIAA Insurance covers you when officiating games in any legitimate organized sports organization. www. nfhs. org

2020 NFHS BASEBALL RULE CHANGES

Rule Change DESIGNATED HITTER RULE 3 -1 -4 NFHS has added a new option, called the PLAYER/DH, for coaches to use when preparing a lineup card. Coaches may continue to: § Play with a straight 9 hitters - no DH § Play with a traditional DH as a 10 th starter. www. nfhs. org

3 LINE-UP CARD EXAMPLES #1 STRAIGHT NINE No DH is used. After line-ups are verified, no DH may enter the game. Anytown HS Firebirds Baseball Head Coach: Dave Williams Bat No. Player 1 2 2 41 BUSH 3 22 CLEVELAND, A 4 34 HARRISON 5 24 CLEVELAND, B 6 14 FRANKLIN 7 18 GRANT 8 31 HOOVER 9 16 LINCOLN 10 Pos 2 B RF P SS LF 3 B CF 1 B C ADAMS No Player Pos sub 37 NIXON sub 17 JOHNSON

#2 TRADITIONAL DH § No change to this rule. § DH Must be on the line-up card presented at the pregame plate meeting. § DH must be listed above the defensive player, DP. They are “locked into” the same batting slot. ## Anytown HS Firebirds Baseball Head Coach: Dave Williams Bat No. 1 2 ADAMS 2 B 41 BUSH 00 QUAYLE DH RF 3 22 CLEVELAND 4 34 DWIGHT 5 48 EDWARDS 6 14 FRANKLIN 7 18 GRANT 8 31 HOOVER 9 16 LINCOLN 10 2 Player Pos P SS LF 3 B CF 1 B C No Player Pos sub 37 NIXON sub 17 JOHNSON

LISTING THE TRADITIONAL DH § NJSIAA requires the DH to be listed above the DP in the same batting position. § However, coaches often do it incorrectly. § Some will reverse the order. § Be careful to be sure you know who the DH is. ## Anytown HS Firebirds Baseball Head Coach: Dave Bat No. 1 2 Williams Player Pos No Player Pos 2 B 00 BUSH DH QUAYLE RF BUSH DH 3 22 CLEVELAND 4 34 DWIGHT 5 48 EDWARDS 6 14 FRANKLIN 7 18 GRANT 8 31 HOOVER 9 16 LINCOLN 10 2 41 ADAMS P SS LF 3 B CF 1 B C sub 37 NIXON sub 17 JOHNSON

LISTING THE TRADITIONAL DH Anytown HS Firebirds Baseball Head Coach: Dave Williams Bat No. 1 2 ADAMS 2 B 2 41 BUSH DH 3 22 CLEVELAND 4 34 DWIGHT § Then the DH is listed in the batting order. 5 48 EDWARDS 6 14 FRANKLIN 7 18 GRANT § The DP might be listed in the #10 position In the line-up. This is easy to miss! ## 8 31 HOOVER 9 16 LINCOLN P SS LF 3 B CF 1 B C 10 00 QUAYLE RF § Another incorrect way coaches might list a DH is the “American League” style Player Pos No Player Pos sub 37 NIXON sub 17 JOHNSON

TRADITIONAL DH NOTES…. Same Rule § Accept the line-up card anyway the coaches lists the DH (even if it’s done wrong) without comment. § Both the starting DH and the starting DP (defensive player) may leave the game for a sub and renter once. § A sub for the DH may be a Pinch hitter or a Pinch runner. § Any sub for the DH becomes the new DH. ##

MORE TRADITIONAL DH NOTES…. § Even if the DH is batting for the pitcher or catcher the DH may not have a courtesy runner. § The role of the DH is terminated when: üThe starting DH or any DH-sub plays a defensive position. The DP must leave the game and the (now former) DH must bat and play defense. üThe starting DP or any DP-sub bats or runs for the DH. The DH must leave the game and the (now former) DP must bat and play defense. ##

#3 NEW PLAYER/DH § New option for 2020. § DH Must be on the line-up card presented at the pregame plate meeting. § Player/DH assumes TWO roles. His name must be listed TWICE in the same batting slot, as if he were TWO players. ## Anytown HS Firebirds Baseball Head Coach: Dave Williams Bat No. 1 2 ADAMS 2 B 41 41 BUSH DH RF 3 22 CLEVELAND 4 34 DWIGHT 5 48 EDWARDS 6 14 FRANKLIN 7 18 GRANT 8 31 HOOVER 9 16 LINCOLN P SS LF 3 B CF 1 B C 10 2 Player Pos No Player Pos sub 37 NIXON sub 17 JOHNSON

#3 NEW PLAYER/DH § Some coaches might incorrectly list the Player/DH as one name. Anytown HS Firebirds Baseball Head Coach: Dave Williams Bat No. 1 2 ADAMS 2 B 2 41 BUSH RF/ DH 3 22 CLEVELAND 4 34 DWIGHT § Advice: Write the name a second time for clarity. 5 48 EDWARDS 6 14 FRANKLIN 7 18 GRANT § Always ask each coach if he is using a DH if it is not obvious. 8 31 HOOVER 9 16 LINCOLN 10 § This could be easy to miss. ## Player Pos Bush P SS LF 3 B CF 1 B C No Player Pos sub 37 NIXON sub 17 JOHNSON

Rule Change NEW PLAYER/DESIGNATED HITTER RATIONALE This rule change provides coaches with new options to strategize how to keep their better batters in the game, to contribute to the offensive output of the team and give another player a chance to participate on defense. In addition, because pitchers are often the best hitters on a team, considering the pitch count rules, this change would help these pitchers’ bats in the game, and still can come out of the game defensively to protect their arms from overuse. www. nfhs. org

PLAYER/DH OPTION NOTES…. Suppose the starting player/DH is “Jones. ” § Jones may be any of the 9 defensive positions. He may be substituted for defensively and then may return to any defensive position later in the game. § Jones may bat in any of the 9 batting positions. He may NOT be substituted for offensively at any time and still remain the player/DH. § Jones is the one and only player who may be in the DH role in the game. § Jones must always run for himself to still remain in the player/DH role. § Jones may NOT have a courtesy runner when he reaches base, even if he is the starting pitcher or catcher. (This is not specified in the Speed-up rules) ##

MORE PLAYER/DH OPTION NOTES…. § If Smith pinch hits or pinch runs for Jones, the role of DH is terminated. Then Smith must bat and play defense if he stays in the game. § Jones may leave the game for a defensive sub ONLY. He may reenter the game once without terminating the role of DH. § If Jones is injured and must leave the game the role of DH is terminated. § If Jones is the starting pitcher and is substituted for defensively, he may pitch again if he returns to play later in the game. ##

MORE PLAYER/DH OPTION NOTES…. § If a sub becomes the DP only, the starting player/DH continues to bat. EX: Jones is the starting SS/DH. If Smith enters only to play shortstop, Jones continues to bat but not play defense. § If the starting player/DH leaves the game for a defensive-only sub he may re-enter the game once as the DP, like any other starter. EX: Jones is the starting SS/DH. If Smith enters later as only the shortstop, then Jones may re-enter the game once again as shortstop or at any other defensive position. ##

MORE PLAYER/DH OPTION NOTES…. § A team that began play using a traditional DH may NOT switch to use a player/DH option later in the game. EX: If Smith is the catcher and Jones is the traditional DH, Smith or Jones may NOT take the other player’s role to become a player/DH. Doing that is legal but it terminates the traditional DH role. § The player/DH does not have to be named Jones. ##

Rule Change DESIGNATED HITTER (DH) RULE 3 -1 -4 § ART. 4. . . A hitter may be (not mandatory) designated for any one starting player (not just pitchers) and all subsequent substitutes for that player in the game. A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the designated hitter in the startup. A designated hitter for said player shall be selected prior to the start of the game, and his name shall be included on the lineup cards presented to the umpire-in-chief and to the official scorer. www. nfhs. org

Rule Change DESIGNATED HITTER (DH) RULE 3 -1 -4 § The role of the designated hitter is terminated for the remainder of the game when: A designated hitter may be used in one of the two scenarios: § a. The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the designated hitter batted, subsequently bats, pinch-hits, or pinch-runs for the designated hitter; or § a. The designated hitter may be a tenth starter hitting for any one of the nine starting defensive players. If the designated hitter (DH) is used in this manner, the role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when: www. nfhs. org

Rule Change DESIGNATED HITTER (DH) RULE 3 -1 -4 1. The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the designated hitter batted, subsequently bats, pinch-hits, or pinchruns for the designated hitter; or 2. The designated hitter or any previous designated hitter assumes a defensive position. www. nfhs. org

Rule Change PLAYER/DH OPTION Some DH Case plays www. nfhs. org

SITUATION 1 Bat Sanders is listed as the P/DH batting in the third position in the batting order. In the fifth inning, Mc. Neely enters the game as pitcher with Sanders reaching his pitch count limit. Sanders continues as DH for Mc. Neely. Is this legal? Ruling: YES! No. Player Kelly 1 2 3 4 Simpson 5 Johnson Morris Sanders DH Sanders P Mc. Neely P Subs Mc. Neely Ruling: A player/DH may only have a defensive Black substitute without terminating the DH. Jackson

SITUATION 2 Bat No. Player 1 Kelly Sanders is listed as the DH batting for the catcher, Davis, hitting third in 2 Morris the batting order. In the fourth inning, the coach wants Davis to bat Sanders DH Davis DH 3 and become the new C/DH with the Davis C intention of bringing Sanders back in 4 Simpson as DH for the next at-bat. Since Davis is the only catcher on the 5 Johnson team, he wants to keep Davis Ruling: When a team begins a game using Subs the traditional DH option they may not behind the plate. Is this legal? Ruling: NO! change to the player/DH option. If Sanders Davis bats again Black Davis must leave the game and Sanders must play a defensive position. Jackson

SITUATION 3 Bat Sanders is listed as the P/DH hitting third in the batting order. In the fifth inning, Mc. Neely enters the game as pitcher with Sanders reaching his pitch count limit. In the 6 th inning, substitute Jackson enters to pitch replacing Mc. Neely. Sanders remains the DH for Jackson. Is this Legal? Ruling: YES! No. Player Kelly 1 2 3 4 Simpson 5 Johnson Morris Sanders DH Sanders P Mc. Neely Jackson Subs Ruling: A player/DH Mc. Neely may only have a defensive substitutes without Black terminating the DH. Jackson

SITUATION 4 Bat Sanders is listed as the P/DH hitting third in the batting order. In the fifth inning, Mc. Neely enters the game as pitcher with Sanders reaching his pitch count limit. In the 6 th inning, substitute Jackson enters to pitch replacing Mc. Neely. In the 7 th inning, Sanders returns to defense as the catcher and is still listed as the DH. Is this Legal? Ruling: YES! No. Player Kelly C X P 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson Morris Sanders DH Sanders P X C Mc. Neely Simpson Jackson Subs Mc. Neely Ruling: Sanders Black was a starter and is eligible to Jackson reenter the game once in any defensive position.

SITUATION 5 Bat No. With Dolan listed in the starting lineup as the 2 B/DH and batting 4 th in the order, the coach wants to bring in Tatelman to hit for Dolan. Is this Legal? Ruling: YES! But DH is terminated. Ruling: If substitute Tatelman comes in to hit (or run) for Dolan, the role of the DH is terminated for the game. If eligible, Dolan may re-enter the game on defense and bat in the same spot in the batting order. Player Kelly C 1 2 3 4 Dolan DH Dolan 2 B 5 Johnson Tatelman Black Jackson Morris Sanders P Subs Tatelman 2 B

SITUATION 6 Bat No. Dolan is listed in the starting lineup as the 2 B/DH and batting 4 th in the order. While sliding into 3 B Dolan is injured and must leave the game. The coach wants to bring in Tatelman to become the new 2 B/DH. Player Kelly C 1 2 3 Ruling: YES! But DH is terminated. 4 Dolan DH Dolan 2 B Ruling: If substitute Tatelman comes in to hit (or run) for Dolan, the role of the DH is terminated for the game even in the event of injury. Tatelman must bat and play defense. ## 5 Johnson Tatelman Black Jackson Is this allowed? Morris Sanders P Subs Tatelman 2 B

Rule Change SOME MAJOR PLAYER/DH POINTS OF EMPHASIS The starting Player/DH is the ONLY person who may be in the role of DH for the entire game. If the coach elects to use the Player/DH that player may leave the game for a sub who may ONLY play defensively. Otherwise, the DH is terminated. Advice: Do not accept an illegal substitution when a coach makes a lineup change. Advise him that he cannot make the change. (The last thing you want to create is an illegal substitute situation. ) ## www. nfhs. org

Rule Change COURTESY RUNNER AS IT RELATES TO EITHER DH OPTION FOR A PITCHER OR CATCHER The courtesy runner option is NEVER available to a DH on base if the coach is using either DH option. If the coach elects to have his starting pitcher or starting catcher in the role as the player/DH, as the P/DH or as the C/DH : § When he bats or runs, he is performing the role of designated hitter. § When he plays defensively, he is performing as a pitcher/catcher. ## www. nfhs. org

Rule Change DESIGNATED HITTER RULE 3 -1 -4 b-1 When using the Player/DH, the role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when any player substitutes offensively for the DH. www. nfhs. org

Rule Change DESIGNATED HITTER RULE 3 -1 -4 b-2 As a reminder from the previous rule, the role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when the starting defensive Player/DH is substituted for either as a hitter or a runner. www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis PRE-GAME MEETING ADVICE FOR 2020 § When a coach hands you a line-up that has a Player/DH listed on it, it might help to say something like: “Morrison, your player/DH, is the only person who may be a DH for your team today, and he may not have a courtesy runner. ” www. nfhs. org

Points of Emphasis MORE PLAYER/DH TRAINING www. Referee. Training. Center. com www. nfhs. org