PRESEASON GUIDE
SOFTBALL 2015
RULE CHANGE:
NFHS Thwarts Use of Shiny Helmets T
wo rules changes regarding mirror-like helmets were recommended by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee at its annual meeting last spring in Indianapolis. Three of the five editorial changes that the rules committee made also relate to helmets. The rules and editorial changes have been approved by the NFHS board of directors. Helmets (1-6-1, 1-7-1) The rules were revised to state that the batting helmet and the catcher’s helmet shall have a non-glare surface (not mirror-like). Theresia Wynns, NFHS Director of Sports and Officials Education and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee, said the committee instituted those changes because helmets that have a mirror-like or a glare surface are distracting and could be dangerous for other players.
bob messina
Editorial changes In addition to the rule changes, there were several editorial changes made by the committee, three of which pertain to helmets. Clarification (1-6-1, 1-6-6, 1-7-1). The language has been revised in the three rules to state that the helmet must meet the NOCSAE standard “at the time of manufacture” instead of at the “point” of manufacture. Live ball (5-1-4). The words “gives a
Under an editorial change, the plate umpire should call and/or signal, “Play ball!” when the ball is held by the pitcher on the pitcher’s plate after a dead-ball situation. Herb Krome, Northridge, Calif.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS (NFHS) PUBLISHED BY REFEREE IN COOPERATION WITH THE NFHS