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Rules Interpreter Bulletins
(updated 4/18/2024)
CHSBUA Bulletin Week 1
The following items were sent to coaches today. These bulletins are only as good as the feedback which is submitted.
1- Pitch communication with the catcher can only be one way: from the coach to the catcher. If the catcher is heard speaking to a coach from his catching position, he will be asked to stop and a team warning given (3-2-5). It is understood the iphone/ear bud combo has a 2-way capability, but it is expected coaches will cooperate.
2- If there is a communication problem between catcher and coach, the umpire will be notified and time granted to address the issue.
3- Any effort to intercept or interfere with the opponent’s catcher-coach communication will be addressed as illicit sign stealing.
CHSBUA Bulletin Week 2
Here are some items from game reports and from inquiries.
1. To repeat an earlier item, communication for calling pitches can only be one way – from the dugout to the catcher. It does not matter what the full capabilities are of the devices being used. As long as the communication is one-way, it is legal. Specifically, cell phones with ear/air pods can be used. CHSAA has communicated this to the coaches.
2. An issue has arisen with dugout extensions. Under no circumstances may dugouts be extended toward home plate and any extensions must be the same for both teams. This is primarily a safety rule and cannot be taken lightly. We had three incidents last year where two players and one coach were injured by foul balls when they were on home plate side of the dugout sitting on a bucket.
3. On force plays at the plate, followed by a throw to first, the plate umpire is still responsible for running lane violations by the batter-runner.
4. Hurdling, jumping and leaping over a fielder are legal but only if the fielder is lying on the ground (8-4-2b2). Trying to go over a catcher who is on his knees is illegal and the runner is out. The ball remains live unless an act of interference occurs.
5. A runner who is hit by a batted ball deflected by the pitcher (or any other infielder) is not out and play continues (8-4-2k).
CHSBUA Bulletin Week 3
Here are some recent items.
1. Pitchers cannot have anything below the elbow on the pitching arm that is white or gray. That includes a long-sleeved jersey and any type of sleeve. By rule (1-4-2), white/gray are considered distracting. Additionally, the plate umpire has the right to have anything deemed distracting to be removed. That judgment should be used with great discretion. Unless the rule is directly being violated, it is recommended the umpire wait for a challenge before requiring the pitcher to remove unless it blatant and/or obvious. It is generally accepted that a white background on the label of the pitching glove e.g., Rawlings, is not distracting. Please focus on practicality and do not nit-pick.
2. A pitcher going to his mouth can be confusing because Rule 6-2-1e only addresses a pitcher going to his mouth while off the rubber. Case plays 6.2.1A and 6.2.1B address additional scenarios. The “on the rubber” rulings are based on violation of pitching motion rules more so than getting the ball wet. Please note wiping off is irrelevant if he is on the rubber. So if the pitcher is on the rubber, it is a ball with no runners and a balk with runners. If the pitcher is off the rubber and goes to his mouth and wipes it off before touching the ball or engaging the rubber, it is legal. If he is off the rubber and touches the ball or engages the rubber without first wiping his hand, a ball is awarded to the batter regardless of any runners. That last part is the tricky one because it is not a balk even if there are runners.
3. Runners are never required to slide. Runners who are forced and not near the base they are forced to will usually veer away from the line of the anticipated throw for safety reasons; however, they are not required to do so. The fielder must avoid the forced runner in making the throw to first. It is only interference if the runner makes unnecessary contact with the fielder by remaining upright in the base line.
4. Some of the ejections thus far have started with arguments over balk calls which have always been contentious because of the judgment involved. There are generally two types of balks: those which deceive the runner e.g., not stopping in the set position, and those which are meaningless but an obvious and blatant violation of a pitching rule e.g. dropping the ball while on the rubber. Both types need to be called, but anything else should have discretion applied. It may be best to point those out to both pitcher and coach as an advisement.
You may find this helpful. The one I put in red is causing the confusion, but the logic is if he is off the rubber, he is treated as a fielder and not a pitcher – only pitchers can balk.
Please forward any comments or other questions.
Thanks,
George
CHSAA/CHSBUA Rules Interpreter
The following items were sent to coaches today. These bulletins are only as good as the feedback which is submitted.
1- Pitch communication with the catcher can only be one way: from the coach to the catcher. If the catcher is heard speaking to a coach from his catching position, he will be asked to stop and a team warning given (3-2-5). It is understood the iphone/ear bud combo has a 2-way capability, but it is expected coaches will cooperate.
2- If there is a communication problem between catcher and coach, the umpire will be notified and time granted to address the issue.
3- Any effort to intercept or interfere with the opponent’s catcher-coach communication will be addressed as illicit sign stealing.
CHSBUA Bulletin Week 2
Here are some items from game reports and from inquiries.
1. To repeat an earlier item, communication for calling pitches can only be one way – from the dugout to the catcher. It does not matter what the full capabilities are of the devices being used. As long as the communication is one-way, it is legal. Specifically, cell phones with ear/air pods can be used. CHSAA has communicated this to the coaches.
2. An issue has arisen with dugout extensions. Under no circumstances may dugouts be extended toward home plate and any extensions must be the same for both teams. This is primarily a safety rule and cannot be taken lightly. We had three incidents last year where two players and one coach were injured by foul balls when they were on home plate side of the dugout sitting on a bucket.
3. On force plays at the plate, followed by a throw to first, the plate umpire is still responsible for running lane violations by the batter-runner.
4. Hurdling, jumping and leaping over a fielder are legal but only if the fielder is lying on the ground (8-4-2b2). Trying to go over a catcher who is on his knees is illegal and the runner is out. The ball remains live unless an act of interference occurs.
5. A runner who is hit by a batted ball deflected by the pitcher (or any other infielder) is not out and play continues (8-4-2k).
CHSBUA Bulletin Week 3
Here are some recent items.
1. Pitchers cannot have anything below the elbow on the pitching arm that is white or gray. That includes a long-sleeved jersey and any type of sleeve. By rule (1-4-2), white/gray are considered distracting. Additionally, the plate umpire has the right to have anything deemed distracting to be removed. That judgment should be used with great discretion. Unless the rule is directly being violated, it is recommended the umpire wait for a challenge before requiring the pitcher to remove unless it blatant and/or obvious. It is generally accepted that a white background on the label of the pitching glove e.g., Rawlings, is not distracting. Please focus on practicality and do not nit-pick.
2. A pitcher going to his mouth can be confusing because Rule 6-2-1e only addresses a pitcher going to his mouth while off the rubber. Case plays 6.2.1A and 6.2.1B address additional scenarios. The “on the rubber” rulings are based on violation of pitching motion rules more so than getting the ball wet. Please note wiping off is irrelevant if he is on the rubber. So if the pitcher is on the rubber, it is a ball with no runners and a balk with runners. If the pitcher is off the rubber and goes to his mouth and wipes it off before touching the ball or engaging the rubber, it is legal. If he is off the rubber and touches the ball or engages the rubber without first wiping his hand, a ball is awarded to the batter regardless of any runners. That last part is the tricky one because it is not a balk even if there are runners.
3. Runners are never required to slide. Runners who are forced and not near the base they are forced to will usually veer away from the line of the anticipated throw for safety reasons; however, they are not required to do so. The fielder must avoid the forced runner in making the throw to first. It is only interference if the runner makes unnecessary contact with the fielder by remaining upright in the base line.
4. Some of the ejections thus far have started with arguments over balk calls which have always been contentious because of the judgment involved. There are generally two types of balks: those which deceive the runner e.g., not stopping in the set position, and those which are meaningless but an obvious and blatant violation of a pitching rule e.g. dropping the ball while on the rubber. Both types need to be called, but anything else should have discretion applied. It may be best to point those out to both pitcher and coach as an advisement.
You may find this helpful. The one I put in red is causing the confusion, but the logic is if he is off the rubber, he is treated as a fielder and not a pitcher – only pitchers can balk.
Please forward any comments or other questions.
Thanks,
George
CHSAA/CHSBUA Rules Interpreter