2004 MHSAA Softball
NF Rules Changes, Corrections, Interpretations & Play Situations

2004 NFHS Softball Rules Changes

1-3-4 Reminder that beginning January, 1, 2004, the COR and compression for slow pitch softballs shall not exceed .44 and 375 lbs., respectively; and the compression for fast pitch softballs shall not exceed 375 lbs. All softballs shall be marked with COR and compression.
1-3-5 Effective January 1, 2004, the bat shall meet the ASA 2004 Bat Performance Standard.
3-1-5 (F.P.) Replaces the Designated Hitter (DH) Rule with the Designated Player/FLEX Rule. The main differences being: 1) The role of the DP (offensive player) is never terminated, it is possible for a team to go from 10 to nine players and back to 10 players any number of times during the game; and 2) The DP (offensive player) and the FLEX (defensive player for whom she is batting) can play defense at the same time.
2-4-3 New Added a definition of a banned bat.
2-47-2 New Added a definition of “make a play” as it pertains to the Look-Back Rule. “Any action by the pitcher intended to cause a reaction from the runner(s).”
Signal Chart Added the proper mechanic for signaling the count. Rationale: Not currently covered in the signal chart.

2004 Major Editorial Revisions
1 Rule 1 was completely reorganized to more appropriately arrange the contents.
1-1-9 Changed the wording regarding prostheses to be consistent with other NFHS Rules Codes. “Each state association may authorize the use of prostheses which in its opinion are no more dangerous to players than the corresponding human body parts and do not place an opponent at a disadvantage.”
2-45 Added to the definition of the Pitcher’s 16-Foot Circle (F.P.): “Being in the 16-foot circle is defined as both feet within or partially within the line. The feet may touch the line and extend outside the line.” This definition was previously in a note in Rule 8 before it was rewritten.
3 Rule 3 was completely reorganized to more appropriately arrange the contents.
3-2-3 Deleted the penalty listed in this section for a coach intentionally interfering with a thrown ball. It was inconsistent with the penalty stated in 8-6-16 and duplication wasn’t necessary.

4-2-3 Deleted the examples of game-ending procedures to eliminate confusion. When states adopt game-ending procedures, they communicate the guidelines to be followed.
6-2-9 New Added a new article indicating that, the pitcher shall not deliver a pitch until all defensive players are positioned in fair territory, except the catcher who must be in the catcher's box.
7-2-1g New Added a new item “g” to when a strike is charged to the batter, “…a pitched ball contacts the batter while swinging at the ball or the batter is hit by the pitch that is in the strike zone (dead ball strike).”

8-1-2 Effect 3 Clarified the effect by restating the last sentence as, “When a fair ball touches a runner who is in contact with a base, the ball is dead or live depending on whether the closest fielder is in front of the base (live) or behind the base (dead).”
8-6-15 New Added a new Article 15 and Penalty stating, “Offensive team equipment causes a blocked ball (and interference).
PENALTY: The batter-runner or runner being played on is out. If no play is obvious, no player is out, but runners shall return to the last based touched at the time the ball is declared dead.”
8-9-2 Added at the end of the article: “The pitcher or catcher must bat and reach base legally in order to be eligible for a courtesy runner.”
Appeal Procedures and Guidelines The Appeal Procedures and Guidelines section has been edited and reorganized for more clarity.

2004 National Federation Play Situations & Rulings

Rule Clarification: Rules Book, page 33, 3-3-6g, first sentence should read, “Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the DP’s position is considered an illegal substitution.”

SITUATION 1: Prior to the game, Team A presents two game balls to the plate umpire that do not have the COR and compression marked on the balls. RULING: Softballs used for the contest shall be properly labeled with COR and compression. If the home team cannot provide legal game balls, the umpire shall check with the visiting team. If no legal softballs are available, the game shall not be played.

SITUATION 2: During the bottom of the first inning, the first-base coach calls time and informs the base umpire that F2 has an optic yellow glove. RULING: Illegal glove. The base umpire will direct F2’s coach to have her obtain a legal glove before play may continue. (1-4-2; 1-4-4; 8-8-15)

SITUATION 3: In the top of the ninth inning, with two outs, B3 hits a long fly to F9, who catches the ball. The offensive coach appeals to the umpire, before all defensive players leave the field, that F9 is using a catcher’s mitt. RULING: Legal equipment; the out stands. The NFHS does not distinguish between gloves and mitts worn by the fielders, only that all fielders must use a glove/mitt. (1-4-3)

SITUATION 4: During the pregame inspection, the umpire notices that Team A has a bat that (a) has no certification mark, but is on the 2004 ASA approved list, (b) has the 2000 certification mark, but is on the ASA non-approved bat list, (c) has the 2004 certification mark and is on the approved list. RULING: Legal bat in (a) and (c). Illegal bat in (b). (1-5-4)

SITUATION 5: R1 and R2 are on third and second base, respectively. B3 doubles, scoring both runners. Before the first pitch to B4, the defense appeals to the umpire that B3 used an illegal bat. Upon inspection, the umpires discover that the bat is not on the ASA approved bat list and does not have the ASA 2004 seal. RULING: Illegal bat. B3 is out; the bat is removed from play, and the runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch. (1-5-4; 2-4-2; 2-27-1a; 7-4-1a Pen)

SITUATION 6: R1 is on first base with no outs. R1 breaks for second as B2 bunts the ball over foul territory to the left of home plate. The ball is below the batter’s head when F2 lunges to her left and catches the ball. RULING: Legal catch; batter is out. The ball did not go directly from the bat to the catcher’s glove or hand (foul tip). R1 must return to first base before she is tagged or a proper appeal is made by the defense. (2-1-2, 2-10-1, 2-20-1a; Appeal Procedures and Guidelines)

SITUATION 7: Team A wishes to utilize a DP/FLEX and Team B wishes to use a DH. RULING: The DH rule no longer exists in NFHS rules; the only option is the DP/FLEX rule. However, Team B could use an offensive player (DP) and a different player for defense (FLEX) under the new rule, which is essentially the same as using the old DH rule. (3-3-6)

SITUATION 8: Team A is not utilizing the DP/FLEX rule to start the game. In the fifth inning, Smith enters the game as the FLEX and is placed at the end of the batting order. RULING: Illegal. The DP/FLEX must be announced prior to the start of the game with names entered on the starting lineup. (3-3-6)

SITUATION 9: DP-Jones is batting sixth in the batting order. Smith is listed 10th on the lineup card and is the FLEX, playing first base. In the fourth inning, substitute Green replaces Jones, becoming the new DP. In the seventh inning, the coach wants to enter Smith (the FLEX) to bat for the new DP Green. RULING: Legal. Since the FLEX is now playing both offense and defense, the number of players is reduced from 10 to nine. (3-3-6d; 3-3-6g)

SITUATION 10: In the first inning, DP-Jones (listed in the fourth spot of the batting order) hits a double. Substitute-Cooper replaces DP-Jones on second base. In the fourth inning, substitute-Green bats for Cooper and has a 1-1 count. The coach elects to replace Green with the FLEX-Smith. RULING: Legal. The FLEX player must bat in the listed DP’s position regardless of the number of substitutions in that batting position. Smith inherits a count of 1-1. (3-3-6d; 3-3-6g)

SITUATION 11: Team A is using 10 players in its lineup, with DP-Jones batting third. FLEX-Smith is playing right field and is a very fast runner. In the first, third and sixth innings, DP-Jones gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX-Smith is put in to run. Is this legal? RULING: It is legal for the FLEX to do this since she never left the game. However, it would be illegal for the starting DP-Jones to return to bat in the sixth inning. This is a violation of the re-entry rule. (3-3-5; 3-3-6g)

SITUATION 12: FLEX-Smith enters the game to bat for F1, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery. RULING: Illegal substitution. Since the FLEX-Smith is at bat, she is declared out and restricted to the dugout/bench. She must be replaced by a legal substitute. The FLEX-Smith can only bat in the DP position. (3-4-2a; 3-3-6g)

SITUATION 13: DP-Jones bats fourth in the lineup. In the third inning, DP-Jones plays defense for F5, who bats sixth in the order. In the fifth inning, FLEX-Smith, who is listed 10th on the lineup card, bats in the sixth spot for F5. RULING: Illegal substitution. The FLEX can only bat in the DP’s batting position. The FLEX-Smith is called out if still at bat or on base, is restricted to the dugout/bench and replaced with a legal substitute. F5 is considered to have lost her turn at bat and the next proper batter shall bat. (2-57-2c; 3-4-2a; 3-3-6g)

SITUATION 14: Team A is utilizing the DP/FLEX Rule with the DP batting in the fourth spot in the batting order. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Smith, the FLEX player, bats in the 10th spot of the order and reaches first base safely. Before the pitch to the next batter, Team B calls time and informs the plate umpire. RULING: This is considered an illegal substitute. Smith is declared out and restricted to the dugout/bench. The proper batter (lead-off batter) is considered to have lost her turn at bat and the batter in the second position is the next batter. (2-57-2c; 3-3-6g; 3-4-2a)

SITUATION 15: With a 3-2 count, B4 swings and clearly misses the pitch. The pitch hits B4 in the thigh. RULING: This is a dead-ball strike and B4 is ruled out since this is her third strike. Any runners who may have advanced on the pitch must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. (7-2-1g; 8-5-4)

SITUATION 16: R1 is on second base and B3 is at bat with one out. B3 hits a sharp grounder to F6, who bobbles the ball as B3 rounds first base, is obstructed by F3 and stumbles. Seeing the ball in front of her, R1 freezes at second base. Before B3 can get back to first base, F6 throws the ball to first base to get B3 in a rundown. To complicate things further, during the rundown, B3 is obstructed again. B3 slides into second base and is tagged out on a close play. In (a), R1 advances to third base, and in (b), R1 stays at second base, seeming somewhat confused. RULING: In (a) and (b), the umpire should call obstruction the moment it occurred and signal a delayed dead ball. When B3 was tagged out, the umpire should call time and award B3 second base. In (a), R1’s advancement to third is legal. In (b), the umpire would award B3 second base and R1 third base. (8-4-3 Pen.1)

SITUATION 17: B1 hits a long fly ball to left field where the foul line and the fence intersect. F7 has the ball deflect off her glove in fair territory and (a) exit over the fence in foul ground, or (b) exit over the fence in fair territory. RULING: In (a), the ball is dead and B1 is awarded second base (two bases from the time of the pitch). In (b), B1 is entitled to a home run. (8-4-3h; 8-4-3i)

SITUATION 18: With two outs and a 3-2 count on the batter, the defensive coach requests time-out and has F9 and F2 switch places. The pitcher retires the batter on the next pitch. In the next half inning, which player would be allowed a courtesy runner? RULING: The player who caught the last pitch of inning is the “catcher of record.” This player is allowed to have a courtesy runner, if she reaches base safely. (8-9-2)