Maryland High School Softball Rules and Strike Zones

My daughter is playing Varsity softball for a Baltimore County High School. I have had recent discussions with another parent regarding the strike zone. The parent said that he has talked to an umpire, who said that they have been told to 'tighten' the strike zone, because pitchers are getting so much faster and accurate. Of course, I have heard that from many parents through out the years.
As a long time fastpitch coach (not high school), I have always hoped that the umpire followed the rules of the governing associations that oversee the sport. I was told that Maryland High School Softball is governed by the ASA, and we do have ASA umpires. However, I understand that the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) may be the governing body for Maryland Varsity Softball. Does anyone know for sure?
Meanwhile, I was at my daughter's game yesterday, and all seem to be going well. As with every game, no umpire is perfect and balls and strikes are often questioned (mostly silently) by the "Umpires in the Stands". Sometimes, the pitchers may give a stare to the Coach or umpire, when she thinks it was a good pitch.
Well in yesterday's game and in the last inning, the umpire made a statement to the coach that the ball must come down the middle of the plate, and the strike zone rules have changed. Of course, I can imagine how frustrating that was to the pitcher and coaches. Is the umpire correct?
Finally, I have looked online regarding the NFHS and ASA regarding the 2016 strike zone. I have yet to come across any rule changes regarding the strike zone. In fact, the link below explains the 2016 Strike Zone on the NFHS Site. I am not here to question judgment on the toughest responsibility in sports, which is calling balls and strikes. However, I am hoping to determine which organization governs Maryland High School Softball and the rules, and what is the actual strike zone for which the umpires should utilize their best judgement? (Front arm pit to the knees and ball crossing over any part of the plate?)

https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/softball-points-of-emphasis-2016/

According to this, Maryland uses NFHS rules. Softball | MPSSAA

As for the strike zone, ASA and NFHS have exactly the same definition of the strike zone. And unless Maryland has taken a different stance than NFHS, not only was the strike zone not tightened up, NFHS made a point of emphasis they wanted the strike zone called per the rule book which would have actually increased the size considerably from what umpires are typically instructed to call.

I attended an online rules meeting yesterday for softball umpires. This is the state of Iowa, but it follows NFHS. The point of emphasis on there was knees to arm pits and strongly encouraged to call the high strike

Hawkeyes said:

I attended an online rules meeting yesterday for softball umpires. This is the state of Iowa, but it follows NFHS. The point of emphasis on there was knees to arm pits and strongly encouraged to call the high strike

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Strongly encouraged to call the high strike kind of invalidates to point of emphasis to maybe use the actual rule book. ☺

quincy said:

Strongly encouraged to call the high strike kind of invalidates to point of emphasis to maybe use the actual rule book. ☺

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Yes, that would be a correct assessment

The rule book definition of the strike zone has not changed for NFHS play.

NFHS did issue a Point of Emphasis for 2016, which was referenced in the OP, that instructed umpires to call the strike zone as defined in the book. Armpit to knees, over the plate.
The intention of the POE was to get umpires away from the attitude of "My strike zone is...." and "I don't call a strike on anything above the belly button", etc. and get more consistency with the strike zone from umpire to umpire.

It seems from the OP that the message hasn't been universally received.....

Hawkeyes said:

I attended an online rules meeting yesterday for softball umpires. This is the state of Iowa, but it follows NFHS. The point of emphasis on there was knees to arm pits and strongly encouraged to call the high strike

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I'm taking a SWAG here, but I'm guessing they are seeing too much of the NCAA strike zone proliferating into the lower levels of the game. They want to remind the umpires the ball just needs to touch the top and bottom of the zone. The whole ball does not have to be in the zone at the top and bottom of the strikezone as per the NCAA definition of a strike.

Sparky Guy said:

I'm taking a SWAG here, but I'm guessing they are seeing too much of the NCAA strike zone proliferating into the lower levels of the game. They want to remind the umpires the ball just needs to touch the top and bottom of the zone. The whole ball does not have to be in the zone at the top and bottom of the strikezone as per the NCAA definition of a strike.

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Actually, it is only at the top of the zone that the entire ball must be in the strike zone.

Greenmonsters said:

Actually, it is only at the top of the zone that the entire ball must be in the strike zone.

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You are right. I stand corrected.

Greenmonsters said:

Actually, it is only at the top of the zone that the entire ball must be in the strike zone.

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You must be referencing NCAA rules because NFHS says this..."The strike zone for fast-pitch is the space over any part of home plate which is between the batter's forward armpit and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural batting stance. Any part of the ball passing through the strike zone in flight over the plate shall be considered a strike."

Im all for the full strike zone.. Its a hitters game and swinging should be encouraged and balls over the plate and in the correct zone should be rewarded. What should not be rewarded are balls three balls outside the plate or mid shin. I find that umpires zones are typically too low and too wide. The forward armpit is above the girls center mass of their breasts, and they are rarely if ever called a strike. Balls that are at the sternum is clearly in the strike zone, and umpires rarely call that a strike.