04/14/23 – Softball Mid-Season Updates & Interpretations

April 14, 2023 Athletic Department Blog Updates

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The KHSAA wanted to update member schools on different topics and questions that have been submitted to the office thus far this softball season. 

FACE PROTECTION

Since 2018, Kentucky has required the use of face protection for pitchers, first basemen, and third basemen. The office has received several questions about interpretations of this rule which is understandable given the regular turnover of coaches and umpires. Below are a few examples with case situations included for umpires and coaches. None of these are revisions from the past years of implementation and most are simple clarifications.

• The face protection for pitchers, first basemen, and third basemen is required in all contests for KHSAA member schools, regular and postseason, whether the contest is played in Kentucky or out of state.
• Out-of-state teams who travel to the state of Kentucky to compete are not required by Kentucky rules to wear face protection but are expected to comply with any equipment rules of their home state.
• If the ball contacts a discarded facemask it becomes a blocked ball and all runners are awarded two bases, and the award will be governed by the positions of the runners when the ball left the fielder’s hand.
• Once the ball no longer meets the definition of a “batted ball”, wearing of the mask is not required, however, the defense may be liable for the blocked ball ruling in the event of a ball in play contacting a discarded mask.
• If a player intentionally discards the required face mask before or during a batted ball (either fair or foul), the offense will not be penalized and situational base awards may occur as detailed below.

CASE SITUATIONS FOR FACE PROTECTION

Situation: No runners on base, B4 hits a pop fly in the infield. In an attempt to catch the fly ball, F3 (1st baseman) discards the face mask and catches the fly ball. Umpire should signal a delayed dead ball.	Ruling: B4 is safe at first, F3 cannot discard the facemask for a play on a batted ball.
Situation: R2 is on first base, B3 hits a fly ball to shallow right field between F4 (2nd baseman) and F9 (right fielder). It is fielded on the bounce by F4. R2 is beyond second base and B3 is beyond first base when F4 throws to third base. F5 (3rd basemen) discards the required facemask as she catches the ball and R2 is ruled out.	Ruling: Legal. F5 did not discard the facemask while the ball was defined as a batted ball.
Situation: With a runner on first base, B2 hits a pop fly in foul territory down the first base line. In an attempt to catch the fly ball, F3 (1st baseman) intentionally discards the face mask and a) catches the ball or b) does not catch the ball.	Ruling: F3 cannot discard the facemask to make a play on a batted ball. The umpire shall signal a delayed dead ball. The umpire shall determine if the discarded mask caused obstruction. If no obstruction, in both cases the runner on first shall be awarded second and B2 shall return to the plate and the play shall be treated as a foul ball. If obstruction is ruled, NFHS rules should be applied in addition to the original one-base award.
Situation: With a runner on third base, B2 hits a pop fly to F6 (shortstop). In attempting to catch the fly ball, F6 intentionally discards the face mask and catches the ball.	Ruling: Legal. Since F6 is not required by NFHS or KHSAA rules to wear face protection. However, obstruction rules continue to apply if such occurs. For example, Rule 5-1-2 states it shall be a delayed dead ball if “A catcher or any fielder obstructs a batter or obstructs the ball through the use of a detached player equipment (also refers to rule 8-1-1d, 8-4-3b, and 8-4-3d).

INTERRUPTED GAMES; GAME-ENDING PROCEDURES

• If a district-seeded or other game with a written contract requiring completion is interrupted and cannot be resumed that day, three choices exist for completing the game
  • If agreed by both teams, terminate the game with the score as it exists provided it is a complete game under the NFHS playing rules, including the KHSAA game-ending procedures surrounding 10- and 15-run margins. If such an agreement is reached at the site, it shall be considered final and is not reviewable for revision.
  • If agreed by both teams, resume the game at a specified date and time, which must be done at the point of interruption. This option is only available if the date and time decision is finalized at the site prior to the teams departing. If such an agreement is reached at the site, it shall be considered final; or
  • If agreement cannot be reached on a date of resumption, resume the game on the next available playing date for both teams that does not conflict with specific local board policies (i.e. Sunday play), does not violate the Bylaw 23 prohibition on playing games on consecutive days (Monday through Thursday) and based on schedules as published as of the interrupted game. If one of the competing teams on the first available date chooses for any reason not to play, that team shall be considered to have forfeited the contest. If both teams choose not to play on the first available date, the contest shall be officially recorded as a double forfeit and the required procedure utilized to determine counting toward the seeding position.
• If a contest that is not used for district seeding and does not have a contract requiring completion is interrupted and cannot be resumed that day, three choices exist for completing the game
  • If agreed by both teams, terminate the game with the score as it exists provided it is a complete game under the NFHS playing rules, including the KHSAA game-ending procedures surrounding 10- and 15-run margins. If such an agreement is reached at the site, it shall be considered final and is not reviewable for revision.
  • If agreed by both teams, resume the game at a specified date and time, which must be done at the point of interruption. This option is only available if the date and time decision is finalized at the site prior to the teams departing. If such an agreement is reached at the site, it shall be considered final.
  • Cancel any remaining play and if the game is not complete per the NFHS playing rules including the KHSAA game-ending procedures surrounding 10- and 15-run margins, the game shall not be recorded as having been played but shall count against the limit of games available to the team.

POSTSEASON DATES AND SCHEDULE

• The required brand of ball for postseason play is Spalding with the contracted model being the Spalding Dudley SB12 (4K-147). The KHSAA logo is not required on the ball but all other required NFHS specifications shall be met. 
• District Tournaments: The standard timing of the districts is May 15 – May 22, however, districts can vote by majority to play as early as May 13 or if approved by the regional schools, can extend into the published region week.
• Region Tournaments: Region dates are set by the regional competing schools but the tournaments must conclude (including any cancellations) by May 29.
• State First Round/Quarterfinals are scheduled at this time for John Cropp Stadium, UK, Lexington with a blind draw of all 16 regions. Play is currently scheduled for June 1-3 for that round. The final schedule and brackets will be announced closer to the start of the postseason.
• State Semifinals, and Final: John Cropp Stadium, UK, Lexington. Final will conclude no later than Sunday, June 11. The final schedule and brackets will be announced closer to the start of the postseason.

Best of luck as you finish out the regular season! Contact Assistant Commissioner Sarah Bridenbaugh (sbridenbaugh@khsaa.org) should you have any questions. 

 

– KHSAA –

About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school athletics in the Commonwealth. The Association is a voluntary nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of 289 member schools, both public and non-public. The KHSAA awards 215 state championships to 51 teams and 164 individuals in 13 sports and six sport-activities, funds catastrophic insurance coverage for its more than 106,000 rostered member school student-athletes, provides coaching education and sports safety programs for more than 12,000 coaches and licenses, and facilitates the distribution of training material for over 4,000 contest officials.

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