2013 SOFTBALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Recommend MSHSAA survey spring softball schools regarding their preferred dates for the Spring Softball Championship Series.
2. Recommend the following rule change be submitted to the NFHS :
An intentional base on balls may be given by the defensive team by having its catcher or coach request the umpire to award the batter first base. This may be done before pitching to the batter or on any ball and strike count. The ball shall be declared dead before making the award.
3. Recommend requiring the pitching distance at all junior high school softball games to be 43 feet.
4. Recommend submitting an editorial change to the NFHS clarifying the penalty in Softball Rule 3.6.7.
Team personnel shall not intentionally remove any lines of the batter's box or on the field of play.
PENALTY: (Art. 17) A strike shall be called on the batter if a member of the offense intentionally removes the line and a ball awarded to the batter if a member of the defense intentionally erases a line. A team warning shall be issued, with the next offense resulting in a strike/ball, the offender and the head coach being restricted to the dugout.
Editorial Change in the Penalty:
PENALTY: (Art. 17) A strike shall be called on the batter if a member of the offense intentionally removes the line and a ball awarded to the batter if a member of the defense intentionally erases a line. In addition a team warning shall be issued. with The next offense resulting results in a strike/ball, and the offender and the head coach being restricted to the dugout.
5. Recommend Softball Preseason Interschool Scrimmages be scheduled between Friday of Week 6 and Thursday of Week 7 for fall season and Friday of Week 36 and Thursday of Week 37 for the spring season.
6. Recommend to continue to present 20 medals at the State Championships during the awards ceremony. For teams with more than 20 players and coaches, the appropriate medal will be presented with the back of the medal being blank. They will take the medal home and schools will be billed for the additional medals.
All items approved.