NEW YORK STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL RULES EXAMINATION – 2020 ALL FIELDS REGULATION - 2 UMPIRE SYSTEM GIRLS FAST PITCH RULES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED Read the statement EXACTLY as written. IF ANY PART of the statement is false, mark it false. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS: ABOUT NEW RULES – MISCELLANEOUS 1. A runner cannot be obstructed by a fielder’s verbal call. 21. The pitcher may only step back during her delivery if she initially started with both feet in contact with the pitcher’s plate. 2. The ball is delayed-dead when 3-foot lane interference occurs. 22. Helmets shall have a non-glare (not mirror-like) finish. 3. An appeal play can never result in a force out. 23. The official bat may bear the new USA Softball Certification 4. If the third out of an inning is a force out, no runs will score. Mark. MORE ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS: 24. Bats with the 2013 ASA certification mark are legal. 5. If a courtesy runner is used for the pitcher in the top of the 1st inning, that pitcher is required to pitch to one batter in the ABOUT NEW RULES – PITCHING bottom of the 1st inning. 25. Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. 6. On a checked swing, if the batter is hit on the hands with the pitched ball, she cannot be awarded 1st base because the 26. The pitcher may take a position with both feet in contact with hands are part of the bat. the pitcher’s plate. 7. After having been warned by the umpire, the batter is 27. The pitcher may take a position with her pivot foot in contact automatically out if the bat slips from her hands and it hits with the pitcher’s plate and her non-pivot foot behind the another participant in the game. pitcher’s plate. 8. B1 is out if, after hitting a ball, she again hits the ball in fair 28. A backwards step may be taken before, simultaneous with or territory while holding her bat and any portion of her foot is out after the hands are brought together. of the batter’s box and touching the ground. NYSSO PLAYS & CLARIFICATIONS – PART I EVEN MORE ABOUT FREQUENTLY MISSED QUESTIONS: 29. A player may wear religious headwear provided the use of 9. The player who batted out of turn is declared out if a proper safety equipment (e.g., batter’s helmet) is not compromised. appeal is made after the at bat is completed and before the next pitch. 30. Upon checking the field prior to the start of the game, the umpires notice there are no foul poles. The umpires rule that 10. When a proper appeal is made, runners called out must return the game cannot be played. This is the proper ruling. to the last bases occupied at the time of the pitch. 31. Bats that contain a USSSA Certification Mark but not the 11. When the look-back (circle) rule is in effect, if the BR overruns ASA/USA Certification Mark are legal. 1st base and starts back to the base, the BR still may attempt to advance to 2nd base. 32. Bats that contain the proper ASA/USA Certification Mark but also the USSSA Certification Mark are illegal. 12. Provide an alternate ball to the pitcher when she requests another ball. Do not say, “You made your choice at the start if NYSSO PLAYS & CLARIFICATIONS – PART II the inning. You must pitch that ball until it goes out of play.” 33. A player who has a medical/NYSPHSAA waiver to wear a daith piercing/earing must tape the earring. ABOUT NEW RULES – ILLEGAL PITCHES 13. The penalty for an illegal pitch is a ball on the batter and all 34. With R3 on 3rd base and 2 outs, B4 lays down a squeeze bunt. runners who are forced to advance move up one base. R3 crosses home plate. Then, B4 is called out for 3-foot lane interference. R3’s run counts. 14. The penalty for an illegal pitch is a ball on the batter and all runners, both forced and unforced, move up one base. 35. With R3 on 3rd base and R2 on 2nd base, F1 pitches a passed ball. R3 advances toward home plate, but stops and retreats 15. The penalty for an illegal pitch is a ball on the batter. back to 3rd base. F5 tags both R3 and R2 while they are standing on 3rd base simultaneously. R3 is out. 16. B1 is struck by an illegal pitch. B1 is required to remain at bat with a ball added to her count. 36. With R3 on 3rd base and R2 on 2nd base, F1 pitches a passed ball. R3 advances toward home plate, but stops and retreats ABOUT NEW RULES – METAL CLEATS back to 3rd base. Before R3 reaches 3rd base, F5 tags R2 who 17. Metal cleats are permitted in Modified play. is standing on 3rd base. R2 is out. 18. Metal cleats are permitted in Frosh/Freshman play. NYSSO PLAYS & CLARIFICATIONS – PART III 37. The game is played with a temporary fence. B1’s fly ball hits 6 19. Metal cleats are permitted in JV play. inches below the top plain of the fence. The force of the impact causes the fence to buckle allowing the ball to “fall” over the 20. Metal cleats are permitted in Varsity play. fence. This is a homerun. 38. With regard to a homerun, when the rulebook refers to the “top 52. B1 comes to bat. After the first pitch to her, the plate umpire of the fence” it is addressing the actual top, which faces the sky, sees she is wearing jewelry. The plate umpire immediately not merely the upper portion of the vertical fence. ejects B1 and her head coach. This is the proper procedure. 39. With R2 on 2nd base, B3 hits a fly ball to center field. The base NYSSO PLAYS & CLARIFICATIONS – PART VII umpire is responsible for the play on R2 going into 3rd base. 53. An obstructed runner who chooses to go back rather than advance forward may never be awarded an additional base(s). 40. With R2 on 2nd base, B3 hits a long fly ball down the right field line. The plate umpire is pinned at home plate due to legitimate 54. B1 hits cleanly to center field. B1 rounds 1st base, stops and fair/foul and catch/no catch concerns. In this specific scenario, heads back to 1st base. F3 obstructs BR returning to 1st base. the plate umpire may direct the base umpire to assume F8 throws to F6 covering 2nd base. BR never would have responsibility for R2 going into 3rd base. reached 2nd base safely. When BR is obstructed returning to 1st base, her base coach yells “go to 2nd base.” B1 is thrown NYSSO PLAYS & CLARIFICATIONS – PART IV out at 2nd base. B1 is declared out. This is the proper 41. Team A submitted an official lineup card using the DP/Flex. procedure. After the batter in the 9th spot hits, the Flex comes to bat. By definition, this is batting out of order. 55. Regarding applying a foreign substance to the ball, dirt is considered a foreign substance when the game is played on a 42. A batting helmet has a NOCSAE stamp, but no external natural field (i.e., dirt and grass). warning label. On that basis, the umpire rule that the helmet cannot be used. This is the proper ruling. 56. Regarding applying a foreign substance to the ball, dirt is considered a foreign substance when the game is played on an 43. Team A’s head coach reports a change to the plate umpire. artificial field (e.g., AstroTurf). Team A’s head coach then says, “I’ll let them know” referring to the opposing team. This is the proper procedure. ABOUT NYSPHSAA RULES: 57. There is no player penalty for an unreported substitution. 44. Right-handed B1 bats the ball, which lands just outside the batter’s box in fair territory. B1 takes her first step toward 1st 58. There is no tie breaker rule for regional and state play. base and kicks the ball with her left foot. When B1 does this, her right foot is still within the batter’s box, but her left foot is 59. The pitching distance for Modified Play is either 40’ or 43’ feet. completely outside the batter’s box. This is interference. 60. During live playing action, a base coach must wear a protective NYSSO PLAYS & CLARIFICATIONS – PART V helmet and it must be worn as the manufacturer intended. 45. R2 from 2nd base is advancing home on B3’s hit to the outfield. F2 is legally blocking the plate as R2 attempts to do a slide by. ABOUT THE COACHES’ PRE-GAME MEETING: F2 misses the tag and R2 misses and passes the plate. While 61. The plate umpire should instruct players to raise their hands if in possession of the ball and standing on home plate, F2 makes the player believes the ball has gone out of play. a live ball verbal appeal for R2 missing home plate prior to R2 going back and touching the plate. The plate umpire calls R2 62. The umpires should offer to explain the DP/Flex rule during the out. This is the proper ruling. coaches’ pre-game conference. 46. B1 hits an over-the-fence home run. As she rounds 3rd base 63.