To effectively and consistently enforce rules to solve the problem, the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee believes a visible clock is needed to solve problems related to the pace of play. Both teams must agree to use double first base in spring regular season games or non-traditional fall competitions. The basic specifications and the specific rules for using the database will be included later as part of the experimental rule. 3-2-5b: Removes language that prohibits hard objects from controlling hair in softball. Reason: Specifies that embellishments can be worn like beads in the hair and adapts the language to other NFHS rule codes. SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES 202222222 2-4-3, 2-37, 2-38-2, 2-38-3, 2-38-4, 3-2-12, 3-7-1 NOTE, 4-2-3 NOTE 2, 5-1 Dead ball table, 7-3-1, 7-4-2 NOTE, 7-4-6, 7-4-7, 7-4-15 NEW, 7-5-4 PENALTY 1, 9-5 EXCEPTION 1 and 3 The committee also approved a requirement that clocks between innings and action clocks be visible on the field by January. 1, 2024, for all Division I games and January 1, 2025, for all Division II and III games. The change set a minimum of one visible clock, although several watches are recommended. A clock must be visible to the field referee, who is responsible for monitoring the time rules. NCAA softball games can be played with double first base on an experimental basis for the 2022-23 academic year. • Significant rule changes – 17 registrants (2020-21 had 9) • Major editorial changes – 8 registrants (2020-21 had none) • Added a new Appendix G for video review • No changes to Rules 1, 4, 7 or 14. The committee approved the requirement that all wood, concrete or brick fencing must be padded by January 1, 2027.
Padding does not need to start higher than 1 foot above the ground and extend to the top of wood, concrete or brick or 6 feet above the ground, whichever is shorter. The panel also wants the NCAA`s Softball Rules Committee to discuss adding hard surfaces to this proposal. In addition, the Baseball Rules Committee recommended placing cushions on all hard surfaces (back net, sidelines and home run fences) with which a player could collide during the game. 1-3-3: Adjusts ball tolerance specifications to other control codes. Reason: Bales manufactured to previous specifications will be approved through 2024 to allow manufacturers and schools to reduce current inventory. The new ball specifications are approved for the 2021-22 season and are required until January 1, 2025. The effect of an illegally struck bullet was changed from a dead bullet to a delayed dead bullet; The defense can take the outcome of the game or a hit to the batter. The committee approved the adjudicators` extension of the review of the video replay. Referees can initiate video reviews to see if malicious contact or misconduct has occurred.
Referees will also be able to initiate reviews regarding receiver interference. If the offense violates the 20-second clock, a punch is always added to the account. The experimental rule, approved Thursday by the NCAA`s Rules of the Game Oversight Committee, allows the outfielder to use half of the base and the batter the other half. Upholstery is also a prerequisite for wooden, concrete and brick supports and has so far been highly recommended for fences made of these materials. According to the rule, with runners on base, a pitcher must begin the movement of throwing a pitch or pickoff throw to avoid a clock violation. 8-2-6: Clearly indicates that a rider is considered off-track if one of the last feet touches the ground completely outside the track. Rationale: The new wording more appropriately describes the intent of the rule and ensures more consistent application. Pitchers are allowed to throw one pitch or fake pitch to one base per batter to reset the clock. • Players cannot get out of the canoe during interruptions of play, including conferences, pitcher changes, substitutions and injuries. • Some staff may be outside the canoe, pen or team area (e.g. coaches, medical staff, alternates, etc.).
Player Conferences (POC) • Maximum 7 per game • Regulation Half Innings – 2 • Extra Round – 1st Representative Team – Defense/Offense Conferences (DOC) • Maximum 7 per game – any combination • Regulation Round Defense – 1 + 1 per SN (new subpitcher in this inning) • Regulation Round Attack – 1 • Extra innings – only 1 (+1 step for each SN) • Each team can host seven invited lectures with team representatives (defensive and offensive combined) per rule game. • Defensive conferences – one for each half inning; an additional pitcher allowed in the half-inning for a new pitcher in the rules; This is one of seven • Offensive conferences – one per half inning • Extra innings – an invited lecture with team representatives. The remaining rules conferences will not be postponed in additional rounds. No additional defensive conferences are allowed for new pitchers. When the 20-second clock expires without a throwing or pickoff throw, a ball is added to the account. The committee approved a fence or safety net of at least 3 feet on the side of the shelter grounds. Fencing and netting would be required no later than January 1, 2024 in Division I and no later than January 1, 2025 in Divisions II and III. • Referees match the total number of bats glued to the number of bats listed • Make sure the number of bats does not exceed the number indicated on the team list. The NCAA`s rules of play oversight committee on Thursday approved changes to baseball`s 20-second action clock with runners based for the 2023 season.
• Record Pitcher – throw any number and throw at first base for the time allowed. • Backup pitchers – five or four and one pitch at first base. • If the medium breaks during the pitch change, the relief pitcher allows an unlimited number of warm-up throws, but must be ready when the umpire calls “Play Ball”. (10.19.3.1) 3-5-3: If a coach is in active ball zones, he or she shall wear a school uniform or a coach`s jersey/shirt with trousers, shorts or other leg coverings in school colours or khaki, black, white or grey colours. Reason: The updated wording clarifies which items can be worn by coaches in a live ball area. Deferral of implementation was recommended due to the cost associated with this change. If a runner slides directly on the outfield player and cannot reach base, he is considered offline; This is different from being outside the basic path (12.10.5). • See effect for 12.13.2 and 12.13.3 • Note: 12.13.2 (malicious foil) has been included in this new effect • Can also handle problems if contact prevents the defensive player from playing another game (12.17.2.1.5.2). Schools that choose to apply this experimental rule must apply for an exemption and collect specific data points determined by the NCAA Softball Rules Committee.
• Faulty post – 40` recommended • Added a new rule for optional uniform markings (3.10.4) • Bat verification – the team must arrange bats in the same order in which they appear on the bat list • Appendices o New Appendix C – Barrel Compression Tests (replaces previous C&D) o Other annexes have been replaced by different letters, but no substantive changes have been made Note 1: Effect for all invited conferences – always an immediate exclusion for team representatives or players initiating an inappropriate conference. Note 2: See DOCS and POCS at the end of this document. 3-2-5c: Allows players to wear a soft and safe head covering for religious purposes without prior permission from the national association. Reason: Removes the need to obtain approval from national associations for religious head coverings. • Each team is allowed to hold seven player-to-player conferences without team representatives per set of rules. Game management!! • There can only be two player-to-player conferences per team and half innings in regular rounds (6.12.9.1). • When the defense comes together, it will be a loaded player-to-player conference (effect 9.1). • Extra innings – one paid conference per half innings for each additional round.
The remaining rules conferences will not be postponed in additional rounds. The key to enforcing this rule is that player-to-player meetings must include a delay in the game for it to be considered a paid conference. For examples, see article LR: Interpretations of the rules – Conferences of December 14, 2021. When a defensive player calls a timeout and is awarded by a referee, it is treated as a step forward by the pitcher to reset the clock. Again, this is only allowed once per dough. Previously, pitchers received a warning for the first 20-second clock violation, and a ball was added to the count for all subsequent violations. Launchers could make an unlimited number of steps or false throws to reset the clock. • Allows video review of specific games, if available. • New Appendix G with full details on specific games and the 1-2-1 criterion: specifies that the bases can be designed to detach from their anchoring system. Rationale: This change combines the wording of the rule with other rules that cover the field and its equipment. 6-2-2 & NOTE: Removes the wording of Rule 6-2-2 and places it under the NOTE under the PENALTY. Reason: The reference to language and rules reminds players, coaches and officials of the distracting objects the pitcher carries, but is not part of the 6-2-2 rule.
3-6-21 & PENALTY: Defines the penalty when a damaged racquet that was previously removed is reintroduced into the game. Reason: The penalty describes the protocol for dealing with situations where a damaged racquet is removed and then reintroduced into the game. • Previously no time limit, if not multimedia game. • For all matches (media or not), teams have a maximum of 90 seconds between innings and at the beginning of the match to warm up.