1-4-1b,c: Added that the color of the softball glove/mitt not be entirely optic yellow and that they do not have optic yellow markings on the outside or inside of the glove/mitt resembling the appearance of a softball.

Rationale: For 2011-12, the color “white” was removed from the list of permissible softball colors. The only permissible color for softballs is optic yellow. Having a rule address white (or gray) coloring has become superfluous with that change, as there should be little likelihood of an optic-yellow ball staying in play long enough to wear to a near-white color.

3-3-3: Identified that the person the Plate Umpire should announce any changes to and substitutions on the lineup card would be the opposing Head Coach.

Rationale: This proposed rule change creates uniformity with other umpire to team game management communication by specifically stating the person responsible for his/her team, the Head Coach, is guaranteed to be kept in this substitution information exchange process.

3-3-6: Explained that a team who intends to utilize the DP/FLEX option advises the Plate Umpire and their opponent during the exchange of line-up cards at the pregame conference.

Rationale: This change would require teams to make known the desire to use the DP/FLEX at the time the line-ups become official.

3-6-10: Noted that objects other than stopwatches, scorekeeping materials and devices are prohibited in the coach's box.

Rationale: The running game is an important and exciting part of the game.  Allowing coaches in the coaching box to use a stop watch to time a pitcher’s release to the plate and possibly the subsequent throw to second base is important information to determine if a steal should be implemented.

6-1-1 Exception: Clarified when a batter is awarded first base from an illegal pitch.

Rationale: There are times when the batter could become a base runner without hitting an illegal pitch. This would allow a consistent penalty for illegal pitch regardless if the batter hits the illegal pitch or not.

8-1-2 PENALTY 2: Identified when a hit batter is awarded first base and that she may not deliberately allow the ball to touch her in the batter's box.

Rationale: A batter is penalized for prohibiting a pitch from entering the strike zone, there should be a penalty when the pitcher hits a batter when the pitch is completely inside the batter’s box.

2013 MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES

1-5-2: Defined the knob component of the bat.

6-1-2c: Clarified the legality of a hole created in front of the pitcher's plate.

7-3-1: Clarified the batter's feet position within the batter's box.

2013 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Flex/Designated Player Education

2. Bench Personnel Conduct (Homerun Celebrations)

3. Risk Minimization (Sliding Injuries)

2013 Sport Meeting Folder (1/25/13)

2013 Softball PowerPoint (Must still watch the video for credit)

2013 Softball Q & A's (5/10/13)

DP/Flex Rule PowerPoint Presentation (1/28/09)

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Printable Version - Please print and place in your rules book.

WISCONSIN ADAPTATIONS TO NATIONAL FEDERATION RULES
Softball 2013

(You can print a copy of this document that is formatted to fit in your rule book from our web site.)


Rule 1-2-1 Note     A double first base must be used at all levels of competition.

Rule 4-2-3    A game called for any reason where a winner cannot be determined will be treated as a suspended game.  If the game is to be completed, it will be continued from the point of suspension and a suspended game will be completed unless both schools agree not to do so.  If the score is tied and both schools agree not to complete
the game, it should be counted as one-half win and one-half loss for each team. (4-2-5)

Rule 4-2-3 (Note)    If a game is called prior to the completion of any full inning after the fifth inning, the game becomes a suspended game if the visiting team has scored one or more runs to tie the score or take the lead, and the home team has not retaken the lead.

Rule 4-2-3    A game will end when after five innings a team is ten or more runs behind and has completed its turn at bat.   Note:  The Ten Run Rule must be used in all tournament games except the four State Championship games.

Rule 4-2-3    By conference agreement or mutual agreement by both head  coaches prior to the start of the game, a game may end after 3 innings if a team is 15 or more runs behind and has completed its turn at bat.

Rule 4-2-3    A minimum of 1 1/2 hour time limit may be placed on games. No new inning may be started once the time limit has elapsed, regardless of the number of innings played, unless tied in tournament play.  (This is a conference or host school decision, not umpire’s prerogative.)

Rule 8-9     Courtesy runners may be used.  Mutual agreement of coaches is not necessary.

Rule 4-2-3 Note 2   The number of innings for one or both games in a double-header may be scheduled for five (5) innings.  Current game ending procedures still apply.

Rule 4-2-6   The International Tie-breaker may be used, with prior agreement/announcement, for all regular season games (mutual agreement by both teams) and regular season tournaments (host decision).  Conferences may determine use of the tie-breaker and should have this stated in their by-laws. The use of the International Tie-breaker is not allowed in the WIAA tournament series.  If a game is tied after 7 innings, the game will continue using the International Tie-breaker.  Each team starts the inning with the player completed the last official at bat as a base runner on second base.  Each team has the opportunity to bat each inning.

STATE ASSOCIATION REGULATIONS
1.  Official’s Uniform
                 Shirt - Powder blue.   Slacks - Heather gray.
                 Hat - Navy blue.   Shoes/socks/belt - Black.   Jacket - Navy blue.
2.  Official’s Equipment
     Mandatory Equipment - Face mask and throat protector.
     Recommended - Chest protector, protective cup, shin guards, ball/strike indicator, pencil, line-up card.
3.  NFHS approved, optic yellow balls shall be used for all regular season games.
4.  In the absence of a conference approved ball, teams are allowed to provide and use their own game ball in regular season play provided it meets NFHS specifications and is optic yellow.
5.  Nonvarsity teams shall be allowed to wear old varsity uniforms which are now unapproved provided participant safety is not jeopardized.
6.  Both head coaches and the umpires are responsible for being in possession of a current non-approved bat list from the ASA website.
7.  Pregame warm-up:  35 minutes  
    Thirty-five minutes prior to start of game home field takes field.  The field is defined as the entire enclosed field (live ball area).  Twenty minutes prior to start of game visiting team takes field.  Five minutes prior to start of game the pregame meeting will be held and the infield prepped for play.  Recommended for regular season.
8. On-deck batters.  For the beginning of each inning, the first two batters should be positioned in front of their team’s dugout.  Thereafter team's players shall warm-up in the on-deck circle located behind the batter. Right handed batter:  Next batter located in the on-deck circle closest to 3rd base dugout. Left handed batter:  Next batter located in the on-deck circle closest to 1st base dugout.  Required not optional.

TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES
a.    The highest seeded team in all regional games will also be designated as the HOME team.
b.    A coin flip determines the home team for Divisions 2, 3 & 4 sectional tournament games.  In Division 1, the highest seeded team remaining is the home team.
c.    In neutral site tournament games, the first team alpha will have the third base dugout and warm-up first.  The coin flip (Div. 2, 3 & 4) to determine home and away should be conducted by the site coordinator or umpires at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the game.  In the case of a school hosting and playing in this game, they would determine which dugout is their preferred dugout and would warm-up first.  A coin flip would still be necessary (Div. 2, 3 & 4).
d.    Except for the four State Championship games, a game will end when after five innings a team is ten or more runs behind and has completed its turn at bat.
e.    The maximum number of participants for each tournament game is 18.  Each participating school will be allowed a maximum of 18 players in uniform for each tournament game.
f.    Pregame warm-up protocol is required.

Rule Differences:  Baseball & Softball 2013

Softball Field Diagram