Original article can be found on NFHS.org

1-4-1:  Removes the number of color restrictions on a glove, including laces and seams, and does not allow any panels of the glove to match the color of the ball.
Rationale: Gloves and mitts are manufactured in variety of designs and multiple colors. As long as the color of the ball is not one of the colors used, does not have markings that give the appearance of the ball or are made in a manner that is judged distracting by the umpire it is permitted for use in NFHS Softball.

2-20-1g:  A fair ball is a batted ball that while over fair territory, an offensive player interferes with a defensive player attempting to field a batted ball.
Rationale: The ball’s status is determined at the point of interference. If an offensive player interferes with the defensive player while the ball is in fair territory, the ball is dead. Adding this language to the definition section mirrors the foul ball definition in Rule 2-25-1e.

3-2-12, 3-6-11: Removes language prohibiting the wearing of jewelry.
Rationale: Removing the language prohibiting jewelry places the softball rules in line with other NFHS sports that have removed the restriction. Umpires still have the authority to rule on anything that is considered a distraction or increases risk to any player.

4-2-1: Defines the protocol for when a fair batted ball clears the home run fence to end the game. All runs are allowed to score before the game is terminated.
Rationale: Allows for all runs to be counted when a fair batted ball clears the home run fence to end the game. All runs scored by virtue of the home run will be included in individual and team statistics.

8-2-7: New language clarifies batter-runner interference on a fly ball over foul territory.
Rationale: This has always been the enforcement but was not listed in the section covering batter-runner. The language is consistent with the rule covering interference on an initial play on a fair-batted ball and aligns with Rule 8-6-10.

2023 SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-25-1e, 7-1-2 PENALTY 1, 7-4-1, 7-4-11, 8-1-1 EFFECTS 2, 8-4-3d

2023 SOFTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Sportsmanship
2. Time Between Innings
3. Jewelry and Electronic Communication
4. Comparable Drying Agents

1-5-4: Change:
ART. 4 . . . The catcher’s helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture. Eye shields shall not be attached to the catcher’s mask after manufacture. Eye shields that are attached to the catcher’s mask at the time of manufacture will be constructed of a molded rigid material and be clear without the presence of any tint. Tinted eyewear worn on the face and under the face mask is permitted. Any helmet or helmet and mask combination…and a protective cup (male only). (1-5-9)

Rationale: There has been an increase of catchers attaching aftermarket eye shields to their face masks that are tinted and not approved by the face mask manufacturer. Attaching a product that was not manufactured for the specific face mask is a risk to the wearer. The tinted eye shield is problematic because it would prevent a medical professional from accessing the eyes of the catcher to determine their condition.

1-5-12: Change:
ART. 12 . . . Jewelry shall not be worn be permitted (3-3-1d) except for including religious and medical medals. Any jewelry that poses harm or injury to the wearer or the opponent shall be immediately removed. (1-5-9) A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be visible.

Rationale: Any jewelry worn that poses harm or injury to the player or their opponent is covered in existing rules.

2-4-4 (New): Change:
Note: Add Lodged Ball to Section Title
ART. 4 . . . A baseball that remains on the playing field but has become wedged, stuck, lost, or unreachable, is defined to be a lodged ball. If the ball impacts any object in the course of play, stops abruptly, and does not fall or roll immediately, it is considered lodged. It is a dead ball (5-1-1f-3,4; 5-1-1g-4). Exception: if a ball becomes stuck in the webbing of the fielder’s glove, it remains in play. The glove/ball combination is treated as a live ball.

Rationale: A definition of a lodged ball was necessary and appropriate to differentiate when it is stuck on the field or in an apparatus, compared to when it is stuck in a glove.

3-3-1d: Change:
ART. 1 . . . A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:
sub-articles a-e remain the same.
d. wear jewelry (players participating in the game) or wear bandannas;

Rationale: This is a companion rule change with the deletion of Rule 1-5-12. If jewelry is worn that poses harm to the player or their opponent, there is existing rules support to handle the situation. Bandannas are still prohibited.

6-1-1,2,3: Change:
ART. 1 . . .The pitcher shall pitch while facing the batter from either a windup (Art.2) or a set position (Art. 3). The position of the pitcher’s feet determine whether his the pitcher will pitch from the windup or the set position. The pitcher He shall take or simulate taking the sign from the catcher with the his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher will be considered to be in the set position when the pivot foot is in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher will be considered to be in the windup position when the pivot foot is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and is not parallel to it. The pitching regulations …but not both.

ART. 2 . . . For the wind-up position, the pitcher is not restricted as to how they shall hold the ball. A pitcher assumes the windup position when the his hands are: (a) together in front of the body; (b) both hands are at the his side; (c) either hand is in front of the body and the other hand is at the his side. The pitcher’s non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is limited…lift either foot.

ART. 3 . . . For the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either the his gloved hand or the his pitching hand. The pitcher’s His hand shall be down at the his side or behind the his back. Before starting the delivery, the pitcher shall stand with the pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. Before starting his delivery, he shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher He shall go…any other fielder.

Rationale: In reference to the high school pitching rule, the position of both the pivot and non-pivot foot was the determining factor to deem if a pitcher was pitching from the windup position or the set position. The game has evolved throughout high school baseball for the pitcher to pitch with the pivot foot in a windup description with the non-pivot foot in a set description. This “hybrid” position was previously illegal by NFHS rule. What is important is that umpires, coaches, and players know what position the pitcher is using so they know which part of Rule 6 is in play. Deleting the use of the non-pivot foot does no damage to the existing pitching position rule and having only the pivot foot determine makes it clean and easily discernible for all involved.

NFHS Official Signals: Change:
NFHS Official Baseball Signals
A—PRE-PITCH SITUATIONAL CHANGES – 8 signals to demonstrate situations & their explanations!

B–DURING PLAY & RESULTS – 8 signals to demonstrate calls

[Editor’s note: The proposed Umpire Signals are attached as separate documents.]

Rationale: Updating signals to further enhance umpire mechanics and communication between officials, coaches, players and fans.