NFHS rule changes

Just read this morning NFHS has made some rule changes in softball.

Intentional walk may now be verbal and no pitches have to be thrown.

Pitcher can now step back at any time prior to the start of the actual pitch.

Teams no longer have to put equipment out for inspection, nor do the umpires have to inspect. Head coach now just has to verify the team is legally and properly equipped at the plate meeting.

Like them all.

Do you know penalty for non conforming equipment?

For #2, does this mean that even though the pitcher is in the ready position, both feet on pitching plate, and has taken the sign she can now step back with her stride foot behind the pitching plate immediately before she starts her backswing?

In my mind #2, pitcher's arm starts her motion and steps back at same time then syncs them up.

Curious too now.

NFHS says the pitch starts when the hands separate or the pitcher makes any motion associated with the windup. The pitcher can now step back any time prior to the start of the pitch, so yes she can step back after the hands have come together or before she makes any motion associated with the windup. She cannot step back after the hands separate or makes any motion that is part of her windup.

Penalty for non standard equipment would be it removed from the game, a warning to the coach for verifying the team was legally and properly equipped and if it happens again the coach is restricted to the dugout.

The only one I am a fan of is the equipment check. Tired of fighting coaches to get their equipment outside the dugout and then seeing 20 bats still in bat bags and being told, OH, we arent using those. Well then why are you carrying them around and have them in the dugout?

Pitching, why still the the only rule set to allow the step back? Everyone else has eliminated it.

Intentional walk, it doesnt really save any time at all. There are not that many intentional walks and MLB instituting it in the name of times savings was a joke. I can see from the defenses point of view they dont want to throw the pitches and have something happen, but from an offensive point of view you want those 4 pitches thrown so you can take advantage of any mistakes. You also force the pitcher to go outside the zone for 4 straight pitches and then they have to find the strike zone again.

Comp said:

Penalty for non standard equipment would be it removed from the game, a warning to the coach for verifying the team was legally and properly equipped and if it happens again the coach is restricted to the dugout.

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Thanks

That is really weak.

Personally I would toss HC and player, no warning.

(Because it is HS, I would suspend them for a minimum of another game)

The rules already have penalties for illegal bats etc those would be in addition to the warning. Non approved or broken are not the same as illegal.

Let me also add to my original statement, Im assuming it would be treated exactly the same as jewelry, first offense is remove it and a warning, second offense the coach AND player are restricted.

Thanks for your opinion on the rule changes.

Comp said:

I can see from the defenses point of view they dont want to throw the pitches and have something happen, but from an offensive point of view you want those 4 pitches thrown so you can take advantage of any mistakes. You also force the pitcher to go outside the zone for 4 straight pitches and then they have to find the strike zone again.

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I believe you should have to execute the 4 balls on a IW. During a HS elimination playoff Extra innings game this past spring I witnessed a Pitcher's attempt at an IW go badly. First pitch-ball, 2nd pitch-ball, 3rd pitch-over the fence 240ft! Game over!

Orange Socks said:

I believe you should have to execute the 4 balls on a IW. During a HS elimination playoff Extra innings game this past spring I witnessed a Pitcher's attempt at an IW go badly. First pitch-ball, 2nd pitch-ball, 3rd pitch-over the fence 240ft! Game over!

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I have seen passed balls on an IW that advanced runners, I have seen pitchers get too close to the plate and the batter get a base hit, and I have seen a runner on third score when the pitcher decided to throw overhand home on an IW and get called for an IP. There is a video on youtube that is about 15 minutes long of all the different things that have happened on IW in MLB where runners have advanced or scored on screw ups during IW's.