BASEBALL

INDIANAPOLIS (July 18, 2006) - Effective with the 2007 high school baseball season, a team playing with fewer than nine players may return to nine players. In addition to this change, 12 other rules revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee at its June 16-17 meeting in Indianapolis. These rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
"Rule 4-4-1f allows a team that had to drop down to eight players to return to nine later during the game," said Greg Brewer, assistant director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association and chairperson of the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee. "This will also help promote participation."
Rule 3-3-1n addresses revised penalties for initiating malicious contact on offense or defense. Transgressions will now result in the ball being immediately dead, and if on offense, the player is ejected and declared out, unless he has already scored. If the defense commits the malicious contact, the player is ejected; the umpire shall rule either safe or out on the play and award the runner(s) the appropriate
base(s) he felt they would have obtained if the malicious contact had not occurred.
Other rules pertaining to malicious contact were also revised, as were their corresponding entries in the base-running table and dead-ball table.
"With these changes, we hope to be more definitive on offensive and defensive malicious contact," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee.
In another change, Rule 6-2-1 now states that a ball will be called each time a pitcher brings his pitching hand in contact with his mouth, either without distinctly wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball or while in contact with the pitcher's plate.
Rule 3-2-1 was revised to state that one player or coach may occupy each coach's box while his team is at bat. A coach or player occupying the coach's box shall remain in the box from the time the batter enters the batter's box until the release of the ball by the pitcher. If the coach or player steps out of the box during this time, regardless of who violates the rule, the head coach will be restricted to the bench/dugout.
"A player or coach standing outside the box gains an unfair advantage as to where the opposing pitcher intends to pitch the ball,"
Hopkins said. "The box-bound player or coach does not have the same angle or disadvantage. This rule seeks to correct these unfair advantages and prevent distractions the pitcher may experience during his delivery."
Another rule change (Rule 3-3-4) stipulates that whenever team members are loosening up in an area that is not protected by a fence or other structure, another member of the team with a glove must be positioned between them and the batter to protect them from a batted or thrown ball.
"This is a risk minimization initiative to protect individuals who are not watching the activity in the field," Hopkins said.
In another effort to minimize risk, Rule 10-2-1 was revised to specify that when behind the plate, the umpire-in-chief shall wear proper safety equipment including, but not limited to chest protector, face mask, throat guard, plate shoes, shin guards and protective cup (if male).
A new signal was adopted that uses the point motion for the start of the game. This will align NFHS officials with other rules codes to begin a contest and put a ball back in play.
In an effort to make baseball compatible with other NFHS sport rules, Rule 1-4-4 now states that a commemorative or memorial patch, not to exceed 4 square inches, may be worn on jerseys without compromising the integrity of the uniform.
In addition to the rules changes, the committee identified Points of Emphasis for the 2007 season. Among those are malicious contact, concussions, good sporting behavior, face protection, umpire's professionalism, non-adult bat/ball shaggers and game management.
Baseball is the fourth-most popular sport among boys at the high school level with 459,717 participants during the 2004-05 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. It also ranks third in school sponsorship across the nation.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Struckhoff

SOFTBALL

INDIANAPOLIS (July 5, 2006) - Effective with the 2007 high school softball season, new rules will dictate who has the right-of-way between a base runner and a fielder on a non-controlled batted ball.
These rules revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at its June
18-19 meeting in Indianapolis, and then were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
"A player legally running the bases has full responsibility to avoid contact with a fielder who is attempting to make an initial play on a batted ball," said Ralph Swearngin, executive director of the Georgia High School Association and chairperson of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee. "However, after a fielder has had an opportunity to make an initial play on a batted ball, the responsibility for contact changes. Once a fielder, excluding the pitcher, misplays a batted ball, that fielder should not be protected and, therefore, should not be permitted to obstruct the advancement of a runner."
A revised definition of interference states that a fielder is considered to be making an initial play on a fair batted ball when she has a reasonable chance to catch or gain control of the ball that no other fielder, except the pitcher, has touched. The fielder is still considered to be making an initial play if she fails to gain control of the batted ball, but is within a "step and reach" of the ball. This rule clarifies that the runner is charged with interference if she makes contact while the fielder is attempting to make the initial play on a fair batted ball.
In another change, Rule 3-6-17 expands the penalty when a player removes any lines of the batter's box or on the field of play. A team warning will be issued, with the next offense resulting in a strike for the offense or a ball for the defense. The change now restricts any subsequent offender to the dugout along with the head coach.
In addition to these two rules changes, the committee approved six major editorial changes. New Rule 2-15 clearly defines the confines of the field of play as the designated dugout/bench area and any enclosed or marked area designated as a warm-up area that is adjacent to the field and within view of the umpire(s).
"This rule identifies an area that has been left to umpire or site-by-site discretion," said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the NFHS Softball Rules Committee.
Malicious contact penalties will be clarified with additions made to Rule 3-6-18, which now states that if malicious contact is made by the offense, the play is dead immediately and the offender is declared out, unless she has already scored. If the defense is responsible for the malicious contact, the offender is ejected at the end of playing action.
For state associations that have chosen to utilize a double first base, Rule 8-10 will now provide more detailed information.
"With more states permitting the use of a double first base, we thought it necessary to make some additions to clarify which player uses the white and colored portions of the base," Struckhoff said.
The committee also identified Points of Emphasis for the 2007 season. Among those are concussions, batter delays, obstruction and interference, and inspection of equipment by umpires.
Softball is the fourth-most popular sport among girls at the high school level with 364,759 participants during the 2004-05 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. It also ranks fourth in school sponsorship across the nation.

 

     TRACK and FIELD 

               
Shot Put and Discus Throwing 
Sector Goes Into Effect in 2006-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        Contact: Becky Oakes

INDIANAPOLIS (June 23, 2006) — Effective with the 2006-07 high school track and field season, the throwing sector of 34.92 degrees is now required for the shot put and discus events. In addition to this change that was approved last year for implementation in 2006-07, seven rules revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Track and Field Rules Committee at its June 11-12 meeting in Indianapolis. These rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“The rules committee determined at its 2005 meeting that the throwing sector of 34.92 degrees would be required for the 2006-07 season,” said Mike Colbrese, executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and chairperson of the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee. “This year’s committee developed optional guidelines for the discus cage. Those guidelines are now found in the appendix reference.”

In another change, Rule 7-5-12 states that the runway adjacent to the pole vault box may be marked with a permanent 1-centimeter or one half-inch line drawn through the top of the vault box (zero point) and extended 10 feet on each side. This will allow the host school to have a visible aid for proper placement of the landing pad, which will speed up the process when a last-minute change has to be made due to inclement weather.

“When there are prevailing winds, the host school would like to have the option of turning the pit in the opposite direction, and allowing for the line to be marked would aid in that process,” Colbrese said.

Rule 9-6-5 was amended to stipulate that a competitor shall wear the assigned unaltered number when numbers are provided and computer chip(s) when those devices are used in competition. 

“This addition makes it clear that when assigned for use, competitors shall wear the computer chips as assigned without altering or else be disqualified,” said Becky Oakes, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee.

The “set” starting command was eliminated for races or opening legs of relays of 600 meters or more indoors. Runners now will be expected to be set when instructed “On your marks.”  

The standard scoring system for the decathlon, pentathlon and heptathlon shall be the point scale established by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), unless the state association determines otherwise. 

“The rule permits these special events to be conducted, but did not specify how to score,” Oakes said. “This note to Rule 8 clarifies use of a standard scoring system unless determined otherwise by the state association.”

Several rules changes will impact athletes’ apparel and were adopted for clarify. Rule 3-2-4(o) states that games committees may restrict the wearing of items worn in excess of the school uniform, such as headwear. Rule 4-3-1b(5) and 9-6-1b(6) state that an American flag patch, not to exceed 2 by 3 inches, and either a commemorative or memorial patch, not to exceed 4 square inches, may be worn on the uniform top or bottom. Rule 4-3-1c now states that only a single manufacturer’s logo/trademark/ reference, no more than 2¼ square inches with no dimension more than 2¼ inches, is permitted on the uniform bottom when a two-piece uniform is worn. 

Track and field is the third-most popular sport among boys and the second-most popular sport among girls at the high school level with 944,901 combined participants during the 2004-05 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. It also ranks second in school sponsorship for both boys and girls.

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MEDIA CONTACT:     Bruce Howard or John Gillis, 317-972-6900

BASKETBALL

                 RULES CHANGES FOR 2006-2007

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 19, 2006) - Beginning next season in high school basketball, only one warning will be given for any of the four delay situations before a technical foul is assessed, including the newly approved delay situation for water on the court following a time-out.
This change was one of five rules revisions approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its April 9-10 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
In addition to the new delay situation for water on the court following a time-out, the other delay situations in Rule 4-47 are for throw-in plane violations, for a huddle by either team and contact with the free thrower, and for interfering with the ball following a goal.
Previously, a team could receive a warning for each of the other three delay situations before a technical foul was assessed and two free throws awarded to the opposition.
"The elimination of three warnings for various delay-of-game situations into one warning will better assist with the flow of the game, as well as the administration of the rule by officials and scorers," said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. "With new tactics of additional delay-of-game situations increasing, such as wiping up the floor following time-outs, the rule gives coaches and officials clear direction on limiting these situations by allowing only one warning prior to administering a team technical foul."
In another major change, the exact time observed by the referee may be placed back on the clock when an obvious mistake is made by the timer in starting or stopping the clock.
"With this change in Rule 5-10-1, it eliminates the lag time/reaction time of the clock operator," Struckhoff said. "If the referee observes the time on the clock when an error occurs, the exact time will be able to be put back on the clock."
Two equipment changes were approved by the committee. In Rule 3-5-2, the guidelines for headbands and sweatbands were altered, and in Rule 3-6, the school logo/mascot now will be permitted on pants, compression shorts, sweatbands and headbands.
Headbands and sweatbands must be white or similar in color to the torso of the jersey and must be the same color for each item and all participants. Only one item is permitted on the head and on each wrist.
Sweatbands must be a maximum of four inches and worn below the elbow.
"Increasingly, headbands and sweatbands have become items of concern, mainly on how and where athletes have worn them," said Nate Hampton, assistant director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association and chair of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee. "Many are concerned that these items are worn mainly for decorative reasons or individual identification rather than for a useful purpose. This change will give a clearer direction on where sweatbands may be worn, and the colors will be more reflective of team and school."
Among the five rules changes was the addition of a new signal for a team-control foul. The mechanics for this signal will be extension of the arm with the fist punched. Struckhoff said the new signal should eliminate confusion at the scorer's table, as well as with players, coaches and fans.
"Today's game of interscholastic basketball is in the best position ever," Hampton said. "The great work done by so many knowledgeable and caring previous committee members has made for the great game we enjoy today. This year's committee discussed at length many proposed changes with an eye on how each proposed change would affect the game as it is coached, played, officiated and understood by the various levels of participation in interscholastic programs across the nation."
In addition to the actual rules changes, six major editorial revisions were approved by the committee, along with five points of emphasis for the 2006-07 season.
Among the editorial changes is a revision to Rule 5-11-2 which prohibits on-court entertainment during a 30-second time-out.
In addition to the point of emphasis on the Proper Procedures for Handling Apparent Concussions that is being emphasized in all NFHS sports rules this year, the Basketball Rules Committee issued four other areas of concern: uniforms, time-outs, intentional fouls and rule/signal enforcement.
In terms of school sponsorship, basketball is the most popular high school sport for boys and girls, according to the NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey. In 2004-05, a total of 17,482 schools offered the sport for boys and 17,175 for girls. In terms of participants, it ranks second for boys with 545,497 participants and first for girls with 456,543 individuals playing the sport.
 

  SWIMMING

 RULES CHANGES FOR 2007

SOCCER

                NEW  RULES

 Protective face masks may be worn by high school soccer players with facial injuries, as long as a medical release has been obtained, in accordance with a rule change at the January 22-23 National Federation of State High School Associations
(NFHS) Soccer Rules Committee meeting in Indianapolis. The face-mask rule and four other changes made by the committee were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Rule 4-2-8 was added so that players who have incurred facial injuries can continue to play without fear of re-injury. This rule was made possible as a result of new technology in protective face masks.
"The new masks are molded to the face with no protrusions, providing no additional risks to the player or opponents, and are legal with the appropriate medical sign-offs," said Bob Lombardi, chair of the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee and associate executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. According to Lombardi, this new rule will also prevent players with facial injuries from continuing to play with no protection.
Another change aimed at reducing the risk of injury is a requirement that shinguards meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standard effective with the
2007-08 season. According to Lombardi, players no longer will be able to wear missized, underrated shinguards. This rule will also require manufacturers to produce shinguards that will minimize risk to players.
"Correctly sized and safety-regulated shinguards will exponentially help reduce leg injuries incurred while playing soccer," Lombardi said.
The new NOCSAE shinguards will be stamped with the NOCSAE logo.
They will specify which size is correct for a particular sized player, making it easy for players, coaches and officials to differentiate which shinguards are to be worn.
Another important rule change provides officials more authority.
Rule 5-1-2 states that "the jurisdiction of the official officially begins 15 minutes prior to the start of the game and ends with their leaving the field of play and its immediate surroundings." This rule was better defined in effort to further clarify the time period and area of the officials' jurisdiction. The officials now have the authority to penalize inappropriate behavior from coaches, fans and athletes before and after a game to deter unsportsmanlike acts.
Prior to the change, the jurisdiction of the officials began when they entered the field of play and ended when they left the field of play at the conclusion of play. "We wanted to create some sort of standard as to where the officials have jurisdiction," Lombardi said.
The new rule is in response to questionnaires, and requests from officials, administrators and coaches.
Rule 4-4-1f, which deals with visible apparel worn under shorts, was modified. The former version of the rule required the visible apparel worn under shorts to be the same basic color of the uniform shorts. Because of the difficulty of finding this type of apparel in colors other than white or black, the same-color requirement was eliminated. The rule now requires that the apparel be of similar length, all alike and of a solid color.
The committee altered Rule 4-1-1g to be consistent with other NFHS sports rules codes. The rule states that "one manufacturer's logo/trademark or reference is permitted on the outside of each item."
Adding the term "reference" will cover all other items not covered by the term "logo/trademark."
In addition to the rules changes each year, the committee identifies certain aspects of the game that need special attention. This year's Points of Emphasis focused on seven themes: game supervision, field markings, participant conduct, end-of-game procedures for officials, reporting incidents, minimizing risks to players, and eyewear.
Soccer is the fifth-most popular sport in both boys and girls high school athletics. Girls soccer had the second-largest gain in girls sports participation numbers in 2004-05, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS, with an increase of 7,072 participants, bringing it to 316,104 total participants. Boys soccer had 354,587 total participants.

 

FOOTBALL

Changes Made in Spearing Rule, Uniforms in High School Football

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             Contact: Jerry Diehl

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 31, 2006) — Removal of the word “intentional” from the spearing rule and new requirements for the visiting team’s jersey beginning in 2010 highlighted high school football rules changes this year.

The spearing and jersey rules changes were among 15 changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 21-22 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The NFHS Football Rules Committee is composed of one voting member from each NFHS state high school association that uses NFHS football rules, as well as representatives of the NFHS Coaches Association and NFHS Officials Association.

In Rule 2-40, the rules committee voted to eliminate “intentional” from the spearing wording in the hopes that all illegal helmet contact, which includes spearing, will be called by officials. With reducing the risk of injury of student-athletes the foremost concern, the committee believes this change in wording will continue the “no-tolerance” policy toward illegal use of the helmet in high school football.

“Removing ‘intentional’ from the definition of spearing eliminates the official’s burden of reading ‘intent’ into a clearly unsafe act before imposing the appropriate rule infraction penalty,” said Brad Cashman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee. “The NFHS Football Rules Committee is to be commended for its continuing efforts to find ways to take the head out of football.”

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the rule change that made initial contact with the head while blocking or tackling illegal in high school football. Since 1977, fatalities in high school football have followed a single-digit trend that is in large part due to the annual data collection and recommendations made in the Annual Survey of Football Injury Research to help reduce the incidence of serious injury. Prior to the rule change in 1976, about 20 direct fatalities occurred annually; in the past 10 years, the average has been about four annually.

“With more than one million student-athletes participating in football each year, the committee acknowledges that injuries will occur,” said Jerry Diehl, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the rules committee, “but with the continued strong emphasis on risk minimization, the goal is to reduce that risk as much as possible.”

Because of increasing amounts of color in visiting team’s “light” jerseys, beginning in the 2010 season, more stringent requirements will take effect that will eliminate confusion as to which jerseys are dark and which are light. The revised rule will require the yoke and the body of the visiting team’s jersey to be white and will dictate the areas of the jersey that can have adornments and accessory patterns. Those areas will be stripes on the sleeves, a border around the collar and cuffs, and a side seam (from the underarms to the top of the pants) 4 inches in width.

“Approximately 10 years ago, the NFHS Football Rules Committee began liberalizing the ‘jersey rule’ by removing basic restrictions on decorations and other limitations,” Cashman said. “An unintended consequence of such liberalization has been the often-reported ‘blending’ of the dark-colored home team jerseys and the light-colored visiting team jerseys, creating confusion on the part of players, officials and spectators. Beginning in 2010, that confusion should be eliminated.”

Diehl said that manufacturers have been asking for more direction with regard to the changes in uniform design. The four-year phase-in period will allow this change to be implemented during the normal uniform replacement cycle, thus minimizing the financial impact on schools. He also noted that this change will allow the home team to wear some of the newer styles of jerseys, and, over the course of a season, will be fair to all teams.

In addition to the 15 changes approved at this year’s meeting, two other significant rules dealing with risk management that were approved at last year’s meeting take effect with the 2006 season. Beginning next season, all helmets shall be secured with a four-snap chin strap, and a colored tooth and mouth protector (not clear or white) will be required.

In other 2006 changes, three rules dealing with participation were approved by the committee. A definition was established in Rule 2 noting that participation is “any act or action by a player or non-player that has an influence on play.” The committee revised Rule 3-7-6 to state that “during a down, a replaced player or substitute who enters the field but does not participate, constitutes illegal substitution.” Diehl said that previously the penalty was too severe against an individual who simply stepped on the field and didn’t participate or attempt to participate in the play.

Rule 9-6-4a was revised to state that “when any player, replaced player or substitute enters and participates during a down, it shall be considered illegal participation.”

The rules committee modified the 9-yard marks, which were approved last year for 11-player football, for six-player, eight-player and nine-player games. In those other three versions of football, 7-yard marks, 12 inches in length and 4 inches in width, shall be located 7 yards from each sideline. The 7-yard marks shall be marked so that each successive 10-yard line bisects the 7-yard marks. These marks shall not be required if the field is visibly numbered.

The Football Rules Committee appointed a subcommittee to better address modifications necessary in the other three forms of the game of football. Diehl said this subcommittee should be beneficial to those states that sponsor six-player, eight-player or nine-player football.

Among the points of emphasis approved by the committee is one dealing with the proper procedures for handling apparent concussions. This point of emphasis will be included in all NFHS rules books in 2006-07.

The action plan for handling apparent concussions states that if one suspects that a player has a concussion, the following steps should be taken: 1) remove athlete from play; 2) ensure that the athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional and don’t try to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself; 3) inform the athlete’s parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion; and 4) allow the athlete to return to play only with permission from an appropriate health-care professional.

Other changes approved by the committee:

Rule 1-2-3g – Advertising and/or commercial markings on the field of play are prohibited; however, this change permits advertising in the end zones.

Rule 1-3-5b – The official line-to-gain and down indicators shall be operated approximately 6 feet outside the sideline, where facilities permit.

Rule 1-5-1f2 – Beginning in 2008, when measuring the length of a non-removable cleat, the measurement shall be from the tip of the cleat to the sole of the shoe.

Rule 1-6-2 – Phones and headsets may be used by coaches and other non-players. Players may only use phones and headsets during authorized sideline conferences.

Rule 2-6-2a – One or more team members and one or more coaches may confer directly in front of the team box within 9 yards of the sideline for an authorized sideline conference.

Rule 2-31-8 – A player becomes a kicker when a knee, lower leg or foot makes contact with the ball.

Rule 4-2-2 – A holder may rise and catch or recover an errant snap and immediately return a knee(s) to the ground and place the ball for a kick or again rise to advance, hand, kick or pass.

Rule 7-2-8 – Any player on offense on his line of scrimmage may not advance a planned loose ball in the vicinity of the snapper.

Rule 7-5-10, 13 – The act of illegally touching the ball by an ineligible player carries the same penalty whether the act occurs behind, in or beyond the line of scrimmage.

In terms of participants, football is the No. 1 sport for boys at the high school level. Combined with 25,669 participants in six-player, eight-player and nine-player football, a total of 1,071,163 boys participated in high school football in 2004, according to the 2004-05 High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. Eleven-player football (1,045,494) ranks fourth in terms of school sponsorship for boys with 13,671 high schools sponsoring the sport. In addition, 1,627 girls participated in football (1,473 in 11-player) during the 2004 season.