2008 Rules Meeting Rules Meeting RULES MEETING ATTENDANCE HEAD COACHESmust HEAD COACHES must now attend a rules meeting every year. If don’t attend.

20082008 RulesRules

MeetingMeeting

RULES MEETING RULES MEETING ATTENDANCEATTENDANCE

HEAD COACHESHEAD COACHES mustmust now attend a rules meeting every year.

If don’t attend will have the opportunity to take the same rules test as umpires

80% to pass No meeting or no test = censure and

fine Second offense = cannot coach in the

post season

COACHES . . .

1. Pick up your “Code” sheet after the meeting.

2. Logon to www.mshsl.org3. Click on the verify rules meeting.

link on the front page.4. Enter your code.

5. Deadline is April 7thApril 7th

CHANGES IN OFFICIALS CHANGES IN OFFICIALS PROGRAMPROGRAM

Opportunity to take On – Line Rules Meeting this year!

Promotional Levels & Training Clinics in the future.

RATING OF UMPIRESRATING OF UMPIRES Umpires must enter schedule! (Varsity

Only)

Coaches please complete ratings on a regular basis

Be Fair, honest and objective

Ratings are important to umpires and are very helpful for the state selection process

New for 2008 !!New for 2008 !!OFFICIALS RATING SCHOOLSOFFICIALS RATING SCHOOLS

Officials must enter schedule

Go on-line after game in order to rate:

Home team, coaches & fans

Visiting team, coaches & fans

Home team game personnel

Home team site management

RATING PROCEDURERATING PROCEDURE

In order to rate schools, go to the MSHSL web site: www.mshsl.org

Once on the sight under the Officials/Judges heading, select “Officials Corner.”

Log into the corner using your official ID and password.

Spectators, Participants and CoachesSpectators, Participants and Coaches::

Excellent (5) - Sportsmanship and behavior were exemplary - absolutely no problems. This was an exceptional officiating experience.

Good (4) - Overall sportsmanship and behavior was very good. This was a pleasurable officiating experience.

Acceptable (3) - Sportsmanship and behavior was generally good. There were some minor problems. This was an average officiating experience

Needs Improvement (2) - There were several problems with sportsmanship and/or behavior. Improvement is needed. This was a disappointing officiating experience.

Unacceptable (1) - Sportsmanship and/or behavior was poor - there were issues that must be addressed. An MSHSL Incident Report Form has been filed. This was not an enjoyable officiating experience.

N/A - Not applicable

Site Management and Game Personnel:

Excellent (5) -- Welcomed by school staff, facilities for officials available and prepared, site management available & helpful throughout the contest. Game personnel well-prepared and knowledgeable; good communication.

Good (4) - Greeted by school staff, facilities for officials available, site management available when needed. Game personnel knowledgeable and cooperative.

Acceptable (3) - Greeted upon arrival, facilities available, but not prepared, site management present most of the time. Game personnel acceptable.

Needs Improvement (2) - Not greeted, facilities not prepared, site management not available or helpful. Game personnel not prepared - led to minor problems.

Unacceptable (1) - Not greeted, no facilities available, no site manager. Game personnel not prepared or available - problems with game personnel.

NA - Not Applicable

COACHES RESPONSIBILITYCOACHES RESPONSIBILITY

Coaches – you are reminded that it is your responsibility to make sure to enforce the rule in regard to ejections.

If you, a player or another coach is ejected from a contest -- for any reason – that person is suspended from the next game at that level, and any other contest in between.

Failure to do so = the use of an ineligible player, which means the game is a forfeit.

WORKING TOGETHER!WORKING TOGETHER!

Umpires and coaches must work together to ensure the best sportsmanship possible

Understand each other’s role

You are both there for the same reason – provide the

best possible experiencefor the student athletes!

COACHESCOACHES

1) Work extremely hard to prepare – Every game is big!

2) Pressure of winning

3) They care about their kids!

4) Games can be emotional

5) Give their best for kids

UMPIRESUMPIRES

1) Also work very hard to prepare

2) Their job is to:

-- enforce the rules of the game fairly

-- enforce sportsmanship rules

-- manage the game

3) They also do their very best for the kids!

UMPIRES ARE A KEY TO UMPIRES ARE A KEY TO SPORTSMANSHIP!SPORTSMANSHIP!

You are expected to enforce rules regarding behavior and sportsmanship

• Players and Coaches! Use the tools that you have – warn and then

act if necessary Players & coaches will respond A huge part of educational athletics is to

teach citizenship & sportsmanship

COACHES ARE A KEY TO COACHES ARE A KEY TO SPORTSMANSHIPSPORTSMANSHIP

Be the role model for your players and fans

Set high expectations for your players, and force them to meet those expectations

Know the rules! Work with umpires – with RESPECT!

Rawlings is Proud to be the Official Baseball of the Minnesota State High School League.

R100HSNFR100HSNF

2008 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes

2008 2008

RULERULE CHANGESCHANGES

Rule 1-1-2Rule 1-1-2 The captain and head coach represent the

team in communications with the umpires. The captain’s and head coach's duties can include: 1) providing the umpire-in-chief with his team's lineup card…

Rationale: The head coach is now required to be at the pre-game meeting. It is the responsibility of the head coach to be at the pre-game meeting to verify that his team is properly equipped and will adhere to good sporting behavior.

Rule 1-1-2Rule 1-1-2

The captain’s and head coach’s duties shall include: 1) providing the umpire-in-chief with his team's lineup card which shall include the name, shirt number, position, and batting order of each starting player. The name and shirt number of each eligible substitute should also be listed;

Rule 1-1-2 Rule 1-1-2

Rationale: It is reasonable and necessary to mandate how the lineup card is properly filled out. There is no violation or penalty if the eligible substitute's name is not listed on the lineup card.

Rule 2-22-3 ObstructionRule 2-22-3 Obstruction

Art. 3 ...The fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve.

Rationale: This rule provides positive benefits to both offensive and defensive teams by minimizing risk.

Rule 2-22-3 Rule 2-22-3 ConsiderationsConsiderations

3 situations to consider:• (A) Fielder in the base path with the ball

in possession,• (B) Fielder in the base path without the

ball, but the ball is in motion and a play is probable,

• (C) Fielder in the base path without the ball, and the ball is in motion but a play on the runner is not probable.

Rule 2-22-3 Rule 2-22-3 Considerations Considerations (continued)(continued) In the past, situations A & B allowed the fielder to

block the base legally; situation C was obstruction if the fielder hindered the runner or changed the pattern of play.

With this rule change:• A – Fielder can legally block the base• B – Fielder can be in the base path, but now

he must provide the runner some access to the base

• C – Obstruction if the fielder hinders the runner or changes the pattern of play.

Rule 2-22-3 ConsiderationsRule 2-22-3 Considerations (continued)(continued)

This change clarifies that a fielder without the ball, but with the ball in motion and a play on the runner is probable cannot block the base; he must allow the runner some access to the base.

Access is umpire judgment. Must have some portion of the base/plate that the runner could reach.

Rule 3-2-1Rule 3-2-1

Rationale: The old rule was rescinded. This rule is difficult to enforce due to the fact that the umpire does not normally focus on the coach in the box.

We are back to the 2006 rule

Rule 3-2-4Rule 3-2-4

Art.4… the head coach must attend the pre-game conference, if available. PENALTY: The head coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game, except to attend to a sick or injured player.

Rationale: This will provide umpires rule book support for occurrences that have previously happened in the field.

ExampleExample

Head Coach of Team A is caught in traffic & a) notifies his assistant that he will be 30 minutes late; or b) does not notify anyone at the site.

Ruling: In a & b the Assistant Coach may represent the team at the pre-game conference. The Head Coach is not penalized.

ExampleExample The Head Coach of A is a) on the bus

attending to an injured player; b) in the bullpen supervising his pitcher’s warm-up; or c) finishing field preparations. In both b & c he refuses to the request of the Umpire-in-chief to attend the pre-game conference, and instead sends the Assistant Coach to the conference.

Ruling: In a) the Head Coach is excused – no restrictions. In (b) & (c) the head coach is restricted to the dugout for the entire game.

Rule 6-2-1 PenaltyRule 6-2-1 Penalty Clarification Clarification

To clarify the confusion from last year’s change:• Pitcher who has engaged the pitcher’s

plate and goes to his mouth has committed a balk (or illegal pitch)

• It is legal for a pitcher to go to his mouth (anywhere off the pitcher’s plate) and distinctly wipe it off prior to legally engage the pitcher’s plate.

Rule 6-2-1 PenaltyRule 6-2-1 Penalty

For each infraction of this last example (not wiping off after going to the mouth) a ball shall be awarded.

Note: This is not a balk – always an illegal pitch – award a ball to the batter.

RULE 6-2-1 PENALTYRULE 6-2-1 PENALTY CLARIFICATION (CONT.) CLARIFICATION (CONT.)

• Pitcher who goes to his mouth and then touches the ball without distinctly wiping it off may request a new ball to be legal, provided he has not yet engaged the pitcher’s plate. (Pitcher’s Remorse)

• Pitcher goes to his mouth, touches the ball without wiping it off and then engages the pitcher’s plate. Ball is added to the count (with runners on base or bases empty). This is an Illegal pitch.

Rule 10-1-9Rule 10-1-9

…Umpires shall wear heather gray slacks, and navy pullover shirt

Umpires may wear a long sleeve navy pullover

Both umpires should be dressed the same.

2008 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

BATTERS HIT BY PITCHBATTERS HIT BY PITCH

Prohibited by rule from moving into the pitch

Batter cannot permit a pitched ball to touch him

Pitch is called a ball or strike.

OBSTRUCTION/MALICIOUSOBSTRUCTION/MALICIOUS CONTACT CONTACT

Fielders, particularly catchers and first basemen, are not allowed to deny access to the base without possession of the ball.

Plays where the ball, fielder and runner all converge at the same point – the “train wreck” – are a part of the game and may not be obstruction or malicious contact.

MALICIOUS CONTACT MALICIOUS CONTACT

If the fielder’s action while not in possession of the ball denies the runner access to the base, obstruction must be called.

MALICIOUS CONTACT MALICIOUS CONTACT

If both players are doing what is expected – the fielder is going for the ball at the same moment the runner is going for the base – it is possible that no rule has been violated.

An umpire close to the play should consider asking for help on a bang/bang play to determine if it was malicious.

MALICIOUS CONTACTMALICIOUS CONTACT

All about timing – could the contact have been avoided??

If there is a doubt and the contact is not flagrant – it’s not malicious.

Umpires must be aware that collisions might include malicious contact (by the offense or defense) and those penalties supersede the penalties for obstruction.

COACHES PROFESSIONALISMCOACHES PROFESSIONALISM

Emphasis on good sporting behavior Respectful interaction with officials Attending pre-game conference Model ethical and appropriate

behavior Control your dugout

PITCHING REQUIREMENTSPITCHING REQUIREMENTS

The starting position of the non-pivot foot determines whether the pitcher is going to pitch from the windup or set position.

Pitchers in the windup position are required to have their non-pivot foot in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.

PITCHING REQUIREMENTSPITCHING REQUIREMENTS

If a pitcher’s non-pivot foot is in front of that line and he attempts to pitch from the windup, he has made an illegal pitch or committed a balk.

When pitching from the set position, the pitcher must come to a complete and discernable stop. The non-pivot foot cannot be lifted prior to this stop.

NON-ADULT BAT/BALLNON-ADULT BAT/BALLSHAGGERSSHAGGERS

Helmets meet NOCSAE standards:• Dual earflaps

• Proper fit

Violation: warn the head coach.

Subsequent violation: the individual is no longer allowed on the field.

Point of Emphasis for 2007-08Proper Procedures for

Handling Apparent Concussions

Action PlanIf you suspect that a player has a concussion, you should

take the following steps:

1. Remove athlete from play.2. Ensure athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health care

professional. Do not try to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself.

3. Inform athlete’s parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion.

4. Allow the athlete to return to play only with permission from an appropriate health care professional.

(Information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

• Appears dazed or stunned

• Is confused about assignment

• Forgets plays• Is unsure of game, score

or opponent• Moves clumsily

Point of Emphasis for 2007-08Proper Procedures for

Handling Apparent Concussions

Signs and Symptoms

These signs and symptoms may indicate that a concussion has occurred.

Signs Observed by Coaching Staff

• Answers questions slowly• Loses consciousness• Shows behavior or

personality changes• Can’t recall events prior to

the event• Can’t recall what happened

after the event.

Point of Emphasis for 2007-08Proper Procedures for

Handling Apparent Concussions

Signs and Symptoms

These signs and symptoms may indicate that a concussion has occurred.

Symptoms Reported by the Athlete

• Headache• Nausea• Balance

problems/dizzy Double or fuzzy vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Feeling sluggish• Feeling foggy or

groggy• Concentration or

memory problems• Confusion

GAME MANAGEMENTGAME MANAGEMENT

All lines should be placed on the playing field to designate fair-ball territory and other proper boundaries.

Special attention should be given to the maintenance and height of the pitcher’s mound.

GOOD SPORTING BEHAVIORGOOD SPORTING BEHAVIOR

Umpires and coaches need to work together to eliminate this from the game.

Game situations provide coaches and officials “teachable moments” to reinforce proper behavior and perspective.

The positive values that are learned will serve the students long after their high school careers have ended.

MINNESOTA POINTS OF EMPASIS2008 MINNESOTA 2008 MINNESOTA

POINTSPOINTS

OF EMPHASISOF EMPHASIS

PITCHING RULEPITCHING RULE

14 inning limit over 3 consecutive days

Starting Pitcher can come back into to pitch one time as a reliever.

Pitcher who does not start may make two appearances as a pitcher (can’t leave the game and come back)

Suspended GamesSuspended Games

A regulation game is 5 full innings (4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead) or play has gone beyond 5 innings.

A SUSPENDED GAME is one that is ended before it becomes a regulation game; or a regulation game that ends with a tie.

Suspended games are continued from the point of interruption. There is not an option to start the game over.

Regulation games cannot be suspended.

ExampleExample Home team is ahead 5 – 4 after six innings.

In the top of the 7th inning the visitors score three runs and lead 7 - 5. Prior to the completion of the 7th inning the game is stopped due to inclement weather and cannot be continued. Suspended game??

No – the score reverts to that at the end of the last full inning of play (6th inning). This is a regulation game -- Home team wins 5 – 4.

Second ExampleSecond Example

Home team scores two runs to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning by a score of 8 – 7. The game is rained out prior to the completion of that inning. Suspended game?

No – the teams have had an equal number of at bats. Six inning game which is regulation. Home team wins.

Third ExampleThird Example Visitors take a lead in the top of the 5th inning.

Game is ended prior to the completion of that inning. Suspended game?

Yes – this is not a regulation game as only 4 innings were completed. The game is continued from the point of interruption.

There is not an option to start the game over.

ENFORCE THE RULES AS ENFORCE THE RULES AS WRITTENWRITTEN

While there is the need for interpretation of rules, umpires are not to choose which rules to enforce.

Enforce the rules according to the rule book

If you do otherwise you are manipulating the game.

Make itto State

UploadSchedule& Roster

PostResultsPronto

DEADLINEDEADLINETo CertifyTo CertifyProgramProgram

InfoInfoWednesdayWednesday

,,June 4June 4

E-Mail E-Mail

Team Team PhotoPhoto

Certify Certify Roster,Roster,Season Season Record,Record,

Photo IDPhoto ID

When When your your team team

qualifies qualifies for for

State, State, updated updated

statistics statistics are are

requiredrequired

DEADLINE:DEADLINE:Friday,Friday,June 6June 6

It’s all on the Web…It’s all on the Web…

……on youron yourAdministrative pagesAdministrative pages

www.MSHSL.orgwww.MSHSL.org

COACHES . . .COACHES . . .

Leave this meeting AFTER you have picked up a “Code” sheet

THEN. . . Go home and enter the code “on-line.”

Deadline: April 7April 7

For UMPIRES For UMPIRES ONLYONLY

APPLY FOR STATE!APPLY FOR STATE!

Must apply on-line by April 1

Officials will be selected by

May 20May 20

*There may be changes and additions

after this date

OFFICIAL TESTINGOFFICIAL TESTING

All tests will be done on-line.

Plan ahead and allow time for problems!Plan ahead and allow time for problems!

Pick up a test code sheet that will be provided by the Clinician. Detailed instructions are included.

Call the League Office with questions.

Test Deadline: April 7