2015 IHSAA Softball Interpretations
Revised April 21, 2015
NON-GLARE HELMETS: Rules 1-6-1 and 1-7-1 contain language that addresses the issue of helmets with
a glare or mirror-like finish. This rule address the issue of batting helmets and catcher’s helmets with a
finish that is chrome-like, reflective like a mirror and remind you of the silver and gold Christmas
balls. This rule is not intended to address the painted helmets with a glossy finish. The glossy finish, on
painted helmets in most cases, meets the intent of the NFHS softball rule. There are very few of the
batting helmets and catcher’s helmets, with mirror-like surfaces on the market, because most
manufacturers agreed to stop making them.
NOSCAE SEAL: Rules 1-6-1, 1-6-6, 1-7-1 address the issue of the NOCSAE seal being affixed to the
helmet and the statement added for 2015 “at the time of manufacture”. If a helmet is reconditioned
and painted the seal must continue to be a part of the helmet to be used at the high school level.
NOTE: All players shall wear helmets that carry a warning label regarding a manufacturer’s or reconditioner’s certification indicating satisfaction of NOCSAE test standards. All such reconditioned
helmets shall show recertification to indicate satisfaction with the NOCSAE test standard. The coach’s
pregame verification to the umpires that all players are properly equipped in compliance with the rules
includes the exterior warning label.
SOFTBALL SHOE DEVICE: An inner sole shaped device that is attached to the front sole of a softball shoe
to extend the toe of the shoe does not comply with the NFHS Softball Rules. The device alters the
manufacture’s design of the shoe (1-8-5; 3-2-10) which is a required piece of equipment (3-2-11). It is
not a device that has been approved by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee (1-8-1). If presented, this
device should be ruled as illegal equipment and shall be removed before participation is allowed (3-6-1).
The use of such a device does not allow the pitcher to adequately meet the spirit of the pitching rule
that governs the action of the pivot foot while pitching the ball (6-1-2c). This device does not meet the
spirit and intent of this rule. Use the link below to see the non-compliant device.
http://www.nfhs.org/articles/softball-shoe-inner-sole-device-information/
BATS: All bats must meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear either the 2000 or 2004
certification mark and not be listed on the ASA non-approved bat list.The non-approved list is also
posted on the softball pages of the www.ihsaa.org site and the IHSAA Central Hub. Bat barrels made
entirely of wood are permitted and need not bear an ASA mark, but shall not exceed 2¼ inches in
diameter.
SOFTBALL SHOE DEVICE:
In response to the recent ruling about the softball shoe device (figure 1), the inner sole shaped device
attached to the front of the softball shoe, we have received some inquires about the toe protectors or
toe plates (figures 2&3). These, by NFHS Rule 3-2-11, are still legal. These are not an extension of the
cleat; they are merely a protector that absorbs the wear as a pitcher legally drags which reduces the
wear seen on the cleat.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
ENDING A REGULAR SEASON GAME
(1) A regulation varsity game consists of 7 innings unless extended because of a tie score or
unless shortened during innings 5, 6 or 7 because the home team needs none of its half of the
7th inning or only a fraction of it; or because of weather, darkness, or similar conditions. If a
game is halted before it is an official game, it must be started over. During season play, there
are no suspended games except for conference games. Conferences may adopt the
tournament procedure for suspended games.
(2) A regular season game called with a tie score shall be a tie game. Batting and fielding records
are counted but the game is not counted in computing percentages of games won and lost.
(3) The Tie-Breaker Protocol may be utilized for regular season tournaments only. Starting with
the top of the 8th inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its
turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that
respective half inning being
placed on second base. (e.g., if the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four
batter in the batting order will be placed on second base). A substitute may be inserted for
the runner, provided the action is within NFHS Softball Rules.
(4) By prior mutual agreement of opposing schools, junior varsity and freshman regular season
and tournament games may be shortened to five innings.
(5) A game shall end when, after the completion of 5 innings, a team is 10 or more runs behind
and has completed its turn at bat.
NOISEMAKERS
Our office has received several inquiries referencing noisemakers in the dugout. For clarification, fans
are permitted to have noisemakers, although battery‐powered or electronic noisemakers, sirens or
whistles are prohibited. Noisemakers are not permitted in the dugout, however. This includes, but is
not limited to cowbells, air horns, “thundersticks”, clapping devices, drumsticks, etc.”
RULE INTERPRETATIONS
RULE 2-36: Obstruction is the act of the defensive team member that hinders or impedes a batter's
attempt to make contact with a pitched ball or that impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner
who is legally running bases, unless the fielder is in possession of the ball or is making the initial play on
a batted ball. The act may be intentional or unintentional, physical or verbal.
When discussing a defender that impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally
running the bases it is important to remember that any time a defender is blocking a runner’s chosen
path, that defender is liable to be guilty of obstruction. However, obstruction does not occur until the
umpire judges that the runner’s progress is actually impeded. If the runner is not affected by the
fielder’s presence (not impeded), then there is no obstruction. Again this is umpire judgment when
obstruction actually occurs.
SITUATION: R1 is on 2B with no outs, B2 hits the ball deep into center field. As R1 rounds third base F2
is standing in the runner’s base path between 3B and home plate. As the runner is approaching home
she sees the ball coming toward home and begins to slide as F2 gains possession of the ball and tags R1
prior to her reaching home plate.
INTERPRETATION: If the umpire judges that R1 was impeded due to the location of F2 prior to F2
gaining possession of the ball, then the umpire should rule obstruction and award R1 the base they
would have reached had there been no obstruction. However, if the umpire judges that the runner was
not impeded by the location of F2 prior to F2 gaining possession of the ball then they should rule R1
out.
*6.2.2 SITUATION C:
(F.P.) R1 is on second base. B2 hits an illegal pitch and reaches first base safely. R1 (a) is thrown out at
third base, or (b) is thrown out at home, play stands.
RULING: In (a), Legal, (b) lf action stands, the coach of the team at bat has the option of the play or the
penalty for an illegal pitch.
PENALTY: (Art. 1) An illegal pitch shall be declared immediately by the umpire (delayed dead-ball
signal). The batter is awarded a ball and base runners are awarded one base without liability to be put
out.
Exception:
1. If the batter reaches first base safely and each other runner advances at least one base, the
illegal pitch is nullified. All action stands and the illegal pitch is canceled.
2. If the batter does not reach first base safely or if any base runner fails to advance at least one
base, the coach of the team at bat shall have the option of the result of the play or the penalty of
the illegal pitch.
3. If the batter is hit by an illegal pitch out of the strike zone, the batter is awarded first base and
each base runner is awarded one base.
4. If ball four is an illegal pitch, the batter is awarded first base and each base runner is awarded
one base.