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2020 NFHS SOFTBALL RULES POWER POINTTake Part. Get Set For Life. National Federation of StateHigh School AssociationsRules ChangesMajor Editorial ChangesPoints of Emphasis
2020 NFHS SOFTBALLRULES CHANGES
Rule ChangeBATSRULES 1-5-1c,d,e, 2-4-3, 7-4-2 PENALTY NOTEA damaged bat has been defined as a bat thatwas once legal but is now broken, cracked ordented. A damaged bat shall be removedwithout penalty. A bat that continually discolorsthe ball may be removed from the game withno penalty at the discretion of the umpire.Players who attempt to use damaged bats afterthey have been removed are then subject tothe penalties for unsporting behavior.www.nfhs.org
Rule ChangePITCHING REGULATIONSRULES 6-1-1, 6-1-2aWhether both feet are incontact with the pitchingplate (PlayPic A) or only thepivot foot is in contact withthe pitching plate (PlayPicB), the pitcher shall take (orsimulate taking) a signalfrom the catcher.www.nfhs.org
Rule ChangePITCHING REGULATIONSRULES 6-1-1, 6-1-2aBecause the pivot foot in PlayPic (A) and (B) is in contact with the pitcher’s plate, this is legal.Previously, it was required that the pivot foot be on top of the pitcher’s plate. The rulechange allows it to be on top or in contact with the plate.www.nfhs.org
Rule ChangeHOW A TEAM SCORESRULE 9-1-1 EXCEPTION C A run is not scored if the runner advances to home plate during actionin which the third out is made by a preceding runner who is declaredout on an appeal play. Previous wording only described a runner failing to touch a base. Thisnew wording makes it clear that if the preceding runner is called outfor any appeal play, the following runs would not score.www.nfhs.org
Rule ChangeHOW A TEAM SCORESRULE 9-1-1 EXCEPTION CIn MechaniGram A, the fly ball iscaught for the second out. Bothrunners tag. R1 on third baseleaves early and scores, R2 onsecond base leaves legally toadvance to third base. InMechaniGram B, the throw is overthe defensive player’s head andR2 scores. The defense thenappeals that R1 left early. No runsscore since R1 is declared out andno runner can score if thepreceding runner is called out onappeal for the third out of theinning.www.nfhs.org
2020 NFHS SOFTBALLMAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
Editorial ChangeTHE FIELDRULE 1-1-7Game management or a state administrator may establish a mediaarea as needed.www.nfhs.org
Editorial ChangeFIELD AND EQUIPMENTRULE 1-5-1d Updates to add the new USA SoftballAll Games certification mark. This new mark is very similar to the2004 ASA Softball Logo just with USASoftball wording. This new mark will begin to be seen in2020 and beyond.www.nfhs.org
Editorial ChangeRUNNERS ENTITLED TO ADVANCERULE 8-4-3d PENALTYLanguage was clarified to indicate that when F2stops a wild pitch or passed ball with detachedequipment, the batter is not awarded bases. But ifthat pitch completed the batter’s turn at bat, thebatter-runner is awarded first base.www.nfhs.org
2020 NFHS SOFTBALLPOINTS OF EMPHASIS
Points of EmphasisDAMAGED BAT VS. ILLEGAL BATBats must bear either the 2000, 2004, or the USA Softball All Games certification mark. Additionally, the bat must notappear on USA Softball’s Non-Approved Bats With Certification Marks list (www.usasoftball.com). Bat barrels madeentirely of wood are permitted and need not bear a certification mark but shall not exceed 2-1/4 inches in diameter.www.nfhs.org
Points of EmphasisDAMAGED BAT VS. ILLEGAL BATClarification was needed to delineatethe difference between a playerusing a bat that is damaged versus abat that is illegal for high school play.By definition, a bat that is damaged(Rule 2-4-3c) is removed from thegame without penalty (7-4-2 NOTE).An illegal bat that is non-approved oraltered will continue to result in thehead coach and the batter beingejected.www.nfhs.org
Points of EmphasisCONTACT WITH THE PITCHER’S PLATEDue to the varying levels of play and accompanyingvariation in pitching skills while pitchers develop, prior tothe start of the pitch, NFHS rules allows the pitcher tochoose her foot placement. The pitcher may choose totake a position with the pivot foot in contact with theplate and the non-pivot foot behind the pitcher’s plate orboth feet in contact with the pitcher’s plate. Prior to thestart of the delivery, both feet must be on the groundwithin or partially within the 24-inch length of thepitcher’s plate. This allows for personal preference anddeveloping pitchers to work through levels ofprogression.www.nfhs.org
Points of EmphasisINSPECTION OF EQUIPMENTIt is the head coach’s responsibility tomake certain all players are legally andproperly equipped, which includeschecking bats, helmets and catcher’sgear prior to every contest. Umpiresmay inspect equipment but are notrequired to do so. It is critical thatcoaches remain vigilant in inspectingequipment before every contest toensure no damage has occurred ornew noncompliant equipment hasbeen purchased since their lastinspection.www.nfhs.org
THANK YOUNational Federation of State High School AssociationsPO Box 690 Indianapolis, IN 46206Phone: 317-972-6900 Fax: 317.822.5700www.nfhs.org www.nfhslearn.comwww.nfhs.org
2020 NFHS SOFTBALL RULES POWER POINT Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis. 2020 NFHS SOFTBALL RULES CHANGES. Rule Change BATS RULES 1-5-1c,d,e, 2-4-3, 7-4-2 PENALTY NOTE A damaged bat has been defined as a bat that was once legal but is now
