03/21/24 – NFHS Bat Compliance Update Warstic Bonesaber-3 Baseball Bat

Baseball Blog Updates

The KHSAA received the following from the NFHS office regarding the Warstic Bonesaber-3 Baseball Bat.

FOLLOW-UP CLARIFICATION FROM THE NFHS TO THE BELOW POST

For clarification, the Warstic Bonesaber -3 non-wood baseball bat with the factory handle wrapping is compliant.  However, please emphasize to your schools and umpires that the Warstic Bonesaber -3 baseball bat is a compliant non-wood baseball bat for high school varsity competition with factory handle wrapping.

Any baseball bat (wood or non-wood) from any bat manufacturer with a traditional or non-traditional knob is at risk of being rendered non-compliant when it is rewrapped in a manner that the wrapping is over the knob making the knob flush (level with) the handle. A simple solution to correct the non-compliant wrapped bat is to remove the existing wrapping and rewrap the handle.

The image of the red-wrapped bat below is an illegal bat because it was rewrapped
incorrectly. That wrapping eliminates the […]

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02/22/23 – Baseball Online Rules Clinic for Coaches & Officials Now Available

Baseball Blog Updates

The mandatory online KHSAA Rules Clinic for the sport of Baseball is now available today, February 22.  The clinic is required of all officials as well as all coaches (varsity, junior varsity, and freshman) whether or not the coach receives pay.

For member schools, the clinics are located on the School Log-in Page. To access the clinic, go to https://schools.khsaa.org/ and — under the section entitled Rules Clinics — click on the link that says “View Online Rules Clinics“.

For officials, login to the officials’ subdomain at https://officials.khsaa.org/.

OFFICIALS

• February 22 to April 6 (Officials) – the Baseball Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period.
• April 7 to April 21 (Officials) – the Baseball Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($30) during this period.
• April 22 to May 6 (Officials) – the Baseball Clinic will be online […]

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09/01/22 – NFHS Decertified Use of Matte Military Green Stinger Bat

Baseball Blog Updates

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has advised the NFHS that on the basis of the performance testing by Washington State University Sports Science Laboratory, the BBCOR decertification process has been implemented for the Matte Military Green bat with Black and Gold highlights (color) 33” model Stinger Bat Company Aluminum Missile II bat. The model number is MISL2233.

The bat will be removed from the BBCOR Approved Bat list that is housed on the Washington State University Sports Science Laboratory website.  Since the Missile II no longer has the BBCOR designation, effective immediately, this bat (33″ length Stinger Bat Company Missile II aluminum bat) should be considered a non-compliant bat pursuant to NFHS Baseball Rules 1-3-2d and 7-4-1a.

Matte Military Green with Black and Gold highlights 33″ model Stinger Bat Company Aluminum Missile II Bat (Model MISL2233).

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03/17/21 – Baseball Playing Rules COVID Guidance Clarifications

Baseball Blog Updates

We have received inquiries about the COVID-related modifications to NFHS rules published within the Baseball Healthy at Sports Return to Competition Guidance as well as what was published in the online rules clinic that was finalized in mid-February.  To assist administrators, coaches, and umpires in preparing for the first segment of the season we will address these below.

• Since the pitcher may not put their hands to the mouth off of the mound and touch the ball, are there any options?  Yes, a cloth dampened with water may be used and stored in the back pocket of the uniform.
• What is the penalty if a pitcher forgets and puts their hands to the mouth while off the mound?  You would provide a new ball that has been sanitized and simply discard the used ball to be sanitized. 
• Since the pitcher may not blow into their hands on a cold day, are there options?  […]

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02/22/21 – Baseball Online Rules Clinic Now Available

Baseball Blog Updates

The 2021 Online Rules Clinic that is required for all head and assistant coaches and licensed officials in the sport of Baseball is now available. The clinic is required for ALL coaches at each school, head or assistant, paid or unpaid.

As a reminder, here are some important dates about the upcoming season: 

• First Practice: February 22
• First Contest: March 29
• Maximum Number of Scrimmages: 2
• Maximum Number of Games: 36
• District: May 31 – June 5 (play could begin on 5/29)
• Region: June 7 – June 11 (play could begin on 6/5)
• Semi-State: June 12
• Tentative State Dates: June 16-19

CLINICS – HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACHES

For member schools, the clinics are located on the School Log-in Page. To access the clinic, log in to https://schools.khsaa.org and — under the section entitled Rules Clinics — click on the link entitled “View Online Rules Clinics“.

• February 22 – April 20: the […]

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03/03/20 – SAFETY NOTICE – Bat Decertified and Ruled Non-Compliant for NFHS Rules; NOCSAE Ball Reminder, Middle School Play

Baseball Blog Updates

Louisville Slugger Meta 33″ Bat Not legal
The KHSAA received notification Monday afternoon from the NFHS that the Washington State University Sports Science Laboratory has advised that the BBCOR decertification review process had been implemented for the 33” model Louisville Slugger Meta Composite bat.

Therefore, effective immediately, this bat (33″ length Louisville Slugger Meta composite bat – 2020 Blue Bat) should be considered a non-compliant bat Pursuant to NFHS Baseball Rules 1-3-2d and 7-4-1a and not legal for play at any level until further notice.

NOCSAE Ball Certification and Middle School Contests
Also, we have received questions from coaches and umpires following the blog post advising of the NFHS rule requiring NOCSAE approved baseballs (Click Here to Read that Original post). 

Questions are being received concerning middle school play and the requirement.  Please be advised while the NFHS rules address high school play, these are safety-related concerns and administrators and coaches at […]

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02/25/20 – Safety Concerns and Baseball Requirements for 2020 season

Baseball Blog Updates

In 2017, the NFHS adopted a playing rule dealing with safety and ball manufacturing that beginning Jan. 1, 2020, all baseballs used for high school competition shall meet the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) standard and include the certified mark. This information has been included in annual rules clinics since to notify coaches of the pending requirement.

Questions have been asked by umpires and coaches of what to do if there were no such balls provided at the game site, should the game be played?

Rule 1-3-1 in the NFHS Rules Book details the requirement and unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, the home team has the responsibility to provide the balls.

The KHSAA Board of Control has mandated that in games where umpires arrive on-site and no NOCSAE approved baseballs are available to begin a contest, the contest shall not be played and will […]

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02/24/20 – Baseball Online Rules Clinic Now Available

Baseball Blog Updates

The 2020 Online Rules Clinic that is required for all head and assistant coaches and licensed officials in the sport of Baseball is now available. The clinic is required for ALL coaches at each school, head or assistant, paid or unpaid.

HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACHES

• For member schools, the clinics are located on the School Log-in Page. To access the clinic, log in to https://schools.khsaa.org and — under the section entitled Rules Clinics — click on the link entitled “View Online Rules Clinics“.
• February 24 – April 14 – the Clinic may be viewed by coaches at no charge during this period.
• April 15 – May 4 – the Clinic may be viewed by coaches for the late fee ($100) during this period.
• May 5 – May 18 – the Clinic may be viewed by coaches for the late fee ($200) during this period. After this time, postseason penalties per Bylaw 27 will […]

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02/11/19 – Baseball Online Rules Clinic Now Available

Baseball Blog Updates

The 2019 Online Rules Clinic that is required for all head and assistant coaches and licensed officials in the sport of Baseball is now available. The clinic is required for ALL coaches at each school, head or assistant, paid or unpaid.

HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACHES

• For member schools, the clinics are located on the School Log-in Page. To access the clinic, log in to https://schools.khsaa.org and — under the section entitled Rules Clinics — click on the link entitled “View Online Rules Clinics“.
• February 11 – April 15 – the Clinic may be viewed by coaches at no charge during this period.
• April 16 – May 5 – the Clinic may be viewed by coaches for the late fee ($100) during this period.
• May 6 – May 19 – the Clinic may be viewed by coaches for the late fee ($200) during this period. After this time, postseason penalties per Bylaw 27 will apply.
[…]

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01/19/18 – Baseball Umpire Advanced Camp Registration Now Open

Baseball Blog Updates

Registration for the 2018 KHSAA Baseball Umpires Advance Camp is now open. This camp must be attended once ever four years to be eligible for assignment to umpire in the postseason.  Attendance at this camp will qualify through 2021.  Attendance at Officiate Kentucky met the Advance Camp requirement. 

Camp Date
Saturday, February 10 – Johnson Central High School

Camp Fee
$50 registration before Feb. 7.

Camp Staff
Clarence Coleman – KHSAA Assigning Secretary, Kentuckiana Baseball Umpires Association

Keith Morgan – KHSAA Assigning Secretary Central Kentucky Umpires Association

Keith Shartzer – Kentuckiana Umpires Association

Andy Strain – Tri-State Officials Association

Joe Lubarsky – Kentuckiana Umpires Association

Tentative Topics & Agenda (Times are ET)
8-8:30 a.m. – Registration
8:30-8:45 a.m. – Welcome, Introductions, Review Agenda KHSAA Associate Commissioner Butch Cope
8:45-9:45 a.m. – Malicious Contact / Force Play Rule 
9:45-10 a.m. – Break
10 a.m.-Noon – Group Sessions (G1-1-6 […]

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03/20/17 – Baseball Part 2 Test Now Available

Baseball Blog Updates

The Baseball NFHS Part 2 Test will be available online from March 20 until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday, April 3. The test will automatically close at that exact time. Login at http://officials.khsaa.org/authorize/ to take the test. A minimum score of 80 on the exam is required to be considered for assignment to officiate postseason play.

Any official determined to have been involved in the improper administration of the exam, including taking it for another official or having it taken by another official, will have the score disregarded for the year and be subject to other penalties in compliance with the jurisdiction of the office through the Federal Court Decree.

Please keep in mind that there are no extensions or late fees to be able to take the exam outside of the window listed above.

Please also be mindful that the rules clinic remains free online through April 10. You will […]

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