NFHS 2017 BASEBALL RULE CHANGES
There were 23 proposed rule changes for the committee to consider. Five of the
twenty-three were accepted.
Rule 2-32-2C
A slide is illegal if: C. the runner goes beyond the base and then makes contact
with or alters the play of the fielder except at home plate, the runner goes beyond
the base and then makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder. At home
plate, it is permissible for the slider’s momentum to carry him through the plate in
the baseline extended.
My Comment: When the force play slide rule came into the rulebook, the
committee for two years argued back and forth on this situation. Ultimately, they
decided to give no exception at home plate, placing the responsibility on the
runner to not have contact past the plate. This change places the responsibility to
avoid contact now on the catcher. Provided the runner slides in a direct line in
the baseline extended, and does nothing that could be determined to be
malicious, contact now is no longer an issue for an illegal slide. We will need to
watch future injury data at home plate to see if this change has any impact on
injuries. The key to enforcing the rule is the slide is in a direct line to baseline
extended and no malicious action on the part of the runner.
Rule 3-2-2 (Rule 8-4-2s)
The old rule 3-2-2 determined that a coach who physically assisted a runner
during playing action was guilty of “interference” and the ball became dead at the
end of playing action (one of the few delayed dead ball interference). The
involved runner was out and additional outs stood, and other runners were
returned to bases occupied at the time of the interference.
This penalty in 3-2-2 is eliminated. So all we have in 3-2-2 is: No coach shall
physically assist a runner during playing action. (no penalty provided).
A new rule, 8-4-2s, is created: A runner is out when: s. the runner is physically
assisted by a coach. (3-2-2)
This action by a coach, physically assisting a runner is handled the same as a
runner passing an unobstructed runner; when it occurs, the runner is simply out
and play continues. So now, when a coach physically assists a runner, the runner
is out at that point, and play continues. Now there is no need to remember the
location of other runners. This action is no longer classified as interference,
simply a rule violation.
Rule 3-3-1 Penalty
For the second year in a row, the committee worked the penalty for violations of
sportsmanlike behavior in 3-3-1. While in essence there is no real change in the
intent of the penalty action, this change more clearly defines a three step process
that has been intended to be used in the past. For minor violations of 3-3-1, a
warning, either verbal or written, is to be given; umpire decision. If it is a written
warning, then the coach is restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of
the game. For a second violation of a minor offense: if the coach had previously
received a verbal warning, he is now given a written warning and restricted to the
bench. If he had previously been given a written warning, he shall be ejected for
the subsequent offense. If an offense is judged to be major an immediate
ejection is the penalty. So three possible steps for a minor violations: Verbal;
Written with restriction; ejection. A verbal is not mandatory and an ejection for a
major violation is immediate with no need for warnings.
The actual wording of the change:
PENALTY: The umpire shall warn the offender unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case an
ejection shall occur. A warning may be verbal or written. If written, the offender shall be restricted to
the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. If a coach has previously received a verbal warning,
coaches who receive a written warning (10-2-3j) he shall receive a written warning (and be restricted to
the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game) for any subsequent offense. If a coach has previously
received a written warning, he shall be ejected for any subsequent offense. Any offense judged to be
major in nature shall result in an immediate ejection. For coaches who violate f (1-5), g, h, i, j or k, the
umpire may: (1) issue a verbal warning to the offender, (2) issue a written warning to the offender (any
offender receiving a written warning shall be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the
game), or (3) eject the offender for a major offense. For violation of f(6) both the offending coach and
the head coach shall receive a written warning and be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the
game unless the offense is major in which case the offender shall be ejected and the head coach shall
receive a written warning (and be restricted) or be ejected.
A coach may leave the bench/dugout to attend to a player who becomes ill or injured. In f (7), the state
association shall determine appropriate action.
Rule 6-2-6 Pitching Restrictions
Each state association shall have a pitching restriction policy based on the number
of pitches thrown to afford pitches a required rest period between pitching
appearances.
Comment: Four states used pitch count as a pitching restriction last year. There
were no issues in those states. The teams kept record of pitch counts (and of
course opposing teams did as well). Umpires were not involved, same as with
innings pitched. Every Sports Advisory Medicine Committee has recommended
this change and the medical data is overwhelming that the current innings
pitched restriction is not working. Surgery is rising exponentially. Each state is
given the ability to determine number of pitches and the subsequent required
rest.
Rule 8-3-6 (New article 6)
When a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting
to prevent a stolen base ore retire a runner on a pickoff play, if an out is not made
at the end of the catcher’s initial throw, the ball shall be dead and all runners shall
return to the bases occupied at the time of the umpire interference.
This is really an editorial change. We had this ruling in casebook plays and in
Approved Rulings, but this addition codifies the rule.