Defacing the Ball

[dogpatch]

Top of the first, one out, second batter of the game, full count. Umpire gives the pitcher a slick, brand new ball. While NOT in pitching position, she drops the ball and rolls it on the ground to make it less slick. The next pitch is a ground out at 1B for out #2. Blue calls delayed dead ball/illegal pitch for "defacing the ball" which changes the ground-out to a BB. Pitcher is obviously upset and the next batter hits a double (runners now on 2nd and 3rd). Pitcher strikes out the next batter for out #2 (should have been out #3). Next batter hits a 3-RBI home run which ends up being the team's game-winning runs (final score 3-2).

In the 2024 NFHS Softball Rules Interpretations, Situation 2 C & D "defacing the ball", states this action as being illegal with no rule book citation. When one looks for the rule in the rule book, no such rule seems to exist. "Defacing the ball" is not defined in the rule book. The only pitching infraction that results in a delayed dead ball is 6-2-1, which is unrelated. Rule 6-2-2 addresses "non-approved or foreign substances" being applied to the ball; and dirt is specifically stated as not being a "foreign substance".

Help me out! How can a softball that has touched the dirt be considered "defaced"!! How can a NFHS rules committee publish "Rules Interpretations" or Case Books explaining rules that do not exist. When a rule is emphasized or explained, the actual rule should be cited!

If anyone can enlighten me on the specific rule in the NFHS Softball Rule Book that is violated when a pitcher uses dirt to improve her grip on a ball, please do so. The notion that a softball is "defaced" when it touches dirt is beyond ridiculous!

 

[Comp]

It is illegal to apply any substance to the ball. It's covered more and n depth in case plays and rulings. No, the pitcher is not required to wipe the hand after touching dirt, but it is illegal to pick up dirt and apply it directly to the ball, or rub the ball around in the dirt. In those situations it falls under applying a foreign substance to the ball.

Approved drying agents are also legal for the hand, but illegal to apply directly to the ball.

 

[Lemond]

Give the ball back to the PU and ask him/her to make it less slick.

 

[Mike-Coach-Q]

I've seen umpires do this exact thing at the plate meeting.

 

[dogpatch]

It is illegal to apply any substance to the ball. It's covered more and n depth in case plays and rulings. No, the pitcher is not required to wipe the hand after touching dirt, but it is illegal to pick up dirt and apply it directly to the ball, or rub the ball around in the dirt. In those situations it falls under applying a foreign substance to the ball.

Approved drying agents are also legal for the hand, but illegal to apply directly to the ball.

Rule books state the actual rules. Case books and rules interpretations only clarify the rules. Rule 6-2-2 in the 2024 Softball Rules Book specifically addresses applying foreign substances to the ball, and specifically states that dirt is NOT considered a foreign substance. Please cite a rule number from the NFHS SOFTBALL RULES BOOK that actually tells us that applying dirt to a ball is illegal.

 

[Comp]

Rule books state the actual rules. Case books and rules interpretations only clarify the rules. Rule 6-2-2 in the 2024 Softball Rules Book specifically addresses applying foreign substances to the ball, and specifically states that dirt is NOT considered a foreign substance. Please cite a rule number from the NFHS SOFTBALL RULES BOOK that actually tells us that applying dirt to a ball is illegal.

You just answered your own question, the case plays and interpretations clarify the rules and you have already provided the appropriate information. That is how the rule is to be applied, the case plays and interpretations actually carry just as much of not more weight than the actual rule book. If an umpire interprets a rule a certain way and the case play or interpretation says something different and there is a protest, the umpire is going to lose the protest.

I can't provide you a rule citation that doesn't exist, but you already have the interpretation directly from national. That is the ruling they want enforced and that interpretation carries just as much weight as the rulebook.

 

[SoulFY]

You just answered your own question, the case plays and interpretations clarify the rules and you have already provided the appropriate information. That is how the rule is to be applied, the case plays and interpretations actually carry just as much of not more weight than the actual rule book. If an umpire interprets a rule a certain way and the case play or interpretation says something different and there is a protest, the umpire is going to lose the protest.

I can't provide you a rule citation that doesn't exist, but you already have the interpretation directly from national. That is the ruling they want enforced and that interpretation carries just as much weight as the rulebook.

The term defacing is used in the rulebook, you just looked in the wrong area as its not in the pitching rule section. Its in the Rule 1 under softballs. I am guessing those casebook rulings help clarify that rubbing the ball in the dirt is what they consider defacing so naturally rubbing the ball in the ground would be considered that too. Just like how we dont let them drop the ball on the ground and step on the ball with their cleats.

Now for those who going to say, well coaches "rub" up game balls all the time whats wrong with that. Well that is done before they submit the game balls to the umpires and then after we get to look them over to make sure they are legal.

 

[Comp]

The term defacing is used in the rulebook, you just looked in the wrong area as its not in the pitching rule section. Its in the Rule 1 under softballs. I am guessing those casebook rulings help clarify that rubbing the ball in the dirt is what they consider defacing so naturally rubbing the ball in the ground would be considered that too. Just like how we dont let them drop the ball on the ground and step on the ball with their cleats.

Now for those who going to say, well coaches "rub" up game balls all the time whats wrong with that. Well that is done before they submit the game balls to the umpires and then after we get to look them over to make sure they are legal.

Thanks, forgot about that. Rule 1-3-Art 6

 

[SoulFY]

Thanks, forgot about that. Rule 1-3-Art 6

What i also found funny is that it happened in the top of the 1st too. So that means the coach gave the umpire brand new slick balls to use. Just hurting his own pitcher if the home team were providing game balls as per the rules

 

[CoachCeetar]

Thanks, forgot about that. Rule 1-3-Art 6

"ART. 6 . .. Any defacing, treatment or device that would change the ball speci-
fications listed in 1-3-3 are prohibited and render the ball illegal."

It's talking about COR, compression, weight and circumference. Seems a generous ruling to say what's the equivalent of a ground ball is altering those. (It's also absurd to think the umpire can tell these things)

If they're taking this to mean dirt that seems needlessly harsh imo, there's no way the situation described here really benefited the pitcher probably at all besides mentally, and awarding a BB instead of an out seems too invasive a call.