P.I.A.A. BULLETINS
Subscribe to our NewsletterFrom: susankes <susankes@ptd.net>
Subject: Fwd: 2020 NFHS/PIAA Bat Update DRAFT for Review and Approval
Date: November 16, 2019 at 12:02:58 AM EST
To: aharvan <aharvan@ptd.net>, jcumpref <jcumpref@erols.com>, mrstein <mrstein@ptd.net>
Reply-To: susankes@ptd.net
Gentlemen:
I am forwarding this to you as per Denny Mader's instuctions. As he asks in the email, please forward this to the ADs of the schools in your area. Please ask the ADs to forward it to all softball coaches in their district. I have already taken care of the Schuylkill League.
Hope you are all well.
Sue
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Denny Mader" <dmader@compucom-inc.com>
To: "Al Godissart" <agodissart@centurylink.net>, "Brian Sonak" <briansonak@comcast.net>, "Chris Thomas" <butterpsu95@aol.com>, "Dale Klingensmith" <dgklingensmith@comcast.net>, "Dan Keefe" <dankeefe1@hotmail.com>, "Dave Kolojejchick" <davekolo@verizon.net>, "Rich Kotarsky" <treeref1@verizon.net>, "Ron Bure" <umppy54@yahoo.com>, "Sandra Yost" <syost77706@aol.com>, "Steve Kienzl" <skienzl@comcast.net>, "susankes" <susankes@ptd.net>, "Tom Aber" <strika1@verizon.net>
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2019 9:30:06 AM
Subject: 2020 NFHS/PIAA Bat Update DRAFT for Review and Approval
Hello District Interpreters:
The NFHS has determined the newest style bat (Smart Bat Technology) hitting
the market will not meet the NFHS 2020 specifications. We are recommending
that you forward to each of your chapter interpreters and have each of them
forward this to the schools (AD) and request that the AD pass this on to
each softball coach at all levels in there school of this ruling. Suggest
the coaches pass this information to each player for the next season. This
will be effect for all levels of play in the PIAA.
Why immediately, with the holidays approaching, many student-athletes will
be asking for and receiving a new bat.
The style of bat recently hitting the market is the "Smart Bat Technology",
it appears several manufacturer have them, you can goggle this for further
clarification. Here is a link
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1ZCEB_enUS846US846
<https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1ZCEB_enUS846US846&sxsrf=ACYBGNRd1bOQUX
4UkmWznYMb0I4rIbjKiQ%3A1573828165021&ei=RbbOXa2FAYmOsQX_wbXIDA&q=smart+bat&o
q=smart+bat&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i273j0l9.18977.21208..30746...0.2..0.94.859.10..
....0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j35i304i39j0i13j0i22i30j0i10.UcbkwfeBeas&ved=0
ahUKEwjtu9rltuzlAhUJR6wKHf9gDckQ4dUDCAs&uact=5>
&sxsrf=ACYBGNRd1bOQUX4UkmWznYMb0I4rIbjKiQ%3A1573828165021&ei=RbbOXa2FAYmOsQX
_wbXIDA&q=smart+bat&oq=smart+bat&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i273j0l9.18977.21208..30746
...0.2..0.94.859.10......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j35i304i39j0i13j0i22i30j0
i10.UcbkwfeBeas&ved=0ahUKEwjtu9rltuzlAhUJR6wKHf9gDckQ4dUDCAs&uact=5
Thank you for your immediate attention with this important subject.
NOTE - if this is coming to you and you are no longer the interpreter,
please do 2 things; 1) pass it on to the new interpreter and 2) advise the
PIAA office at 800-382-1392 and ask for the Officiating Department and
advise them of the change.
Happy Holidays!
Dennis Mader
PIAA Statewide Softball Interpreter
1142 Cross Creek Road
Burgettstown, PA 15021-2402
dmader66@gmail.com <mailto:dmader66@gmail.com>
www. PIAA.org
Cell 412-889-5069
2019 Rules Changes
2019 Safety Changes
Equipment rules designed to reduce risk of injury, as well as a clarification that the media area must be located in dead-ball territory, are among the high school softball rules changes for the 2019 season.
The four rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at its June 11-13 meeting in Indianapolis were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
With revisions in Rules 1-1-7, 2-22-4 and 5-1-1, the home team or game management may designate a media area in dead-ball territory if the facility dictates.
“Requiring the media area to be located in dead-ball territory minimizes risk and continues efforts to improve the safety of participants, officials, fans and other essential personnel,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and staff liaison for softball.”
In another risk minimization change, Rule 1-8-4 permits an eye shield to be worn attached to the face/head protection only if it is constructed of a molded, rigid material that is clear and permits 100 percent (no tint) allowable light transmission. This change aligns with other softball equipment rules that currently prohibit tinted eye shields.
“The prohibition of tinted eye shields already exists in Rules 1-6-7 and 1-7-1,” Searcy said. “In an effort to promote risk minimization, tinted eye shields should be prohibited for defensive face/head protection.”
Among other rules changes was a clarification to Rule 1-5-2a, which permits a softball bat to have an adjustable knob, provided the knob is permanently fastened by the manufacturer. Any devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are also permitted.
The final change approved by the committee in Rule 6 stipulates that the penalty for an illegal pitch is limited to the batter being awarded a ball. Previously, the batter was awarded a ball and all base runners were also awarded one base without liability to be put out.
“The new language creates more balance between offense and defense,” Searcy said. “In NFHS softball rules, the illegal pitch is designed to deceive the batter and, therefore, only the batter should receive the award.”
According to the 2016-17 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, there are 367,405 girls participating in fast-pitch softball at 15,440 schools.
A complete listing of the softball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Softball.”
Dri-FIT Head Tie 2 styles
This style has been approved by the NFHS as long as it meets NFHS 3-2-5, they must be white, black, beige or school colors
The following version is not legal by the NFHS ruling as it is considered a bandanna style
