2019 NFHS SOFTBALL RULE CHANGES
1‑1‑7, 2‑22‑4, Table 5‑1, 5‑1‑1o: The media shall be
prohibited from being in live‑ball area. The home team or game
management may designate an area for the media in dead ball territory.
Rationale: Clarifies that game management may designate a media area in dead ball territory.
1‑5‑2a: The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or adjustable, but must be permanently fastened.
Rationale: Clarifies that an adjustable knob is permissible, provided the knob is permanently fastened by the manufacturer.
1‑8‑4: Defensive
players are permitted to wear a shield on their face/head protection in
the field but it must be constructed of a molded, rigid material that
is clear and permits 100 percent (no tint) allowable light transmission.
Rationale: In an effort to promote risk minimization, tinted eye shields are prohibited for defensive face/head protection.
6‑1‑1 PENALTY, 6‑1‑2 Thru 4 PENALTY, 6‑2‑1 PENALTY, 6‑2‑7 PENALTY: in
the case of an illegal pitch, the batter is awarded a ball. The penalty
that permitted base runners to be awarded one base without liability to
be put out is removed.
Rationale: The new language creates more balance
between offense and defense. The batter should receive the award rather
than runners already on base.
2019 SOFTBALL MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
2‑65‑2: Clarifies there can be no appeal of the play that occurred prior to the umpire awarding an intentional walk.
6‑1‑2a, b: Clarifies what motion constitutes the start of the pitch and when the step back of the non‑pivot foot may be taken.
APPENDIX H: An Appendix regarding DP/FLEX rules was added for quick reference.
2019 SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
2‑65‑2, 3‑5‑1 NOTE, 5‑1 Table, 5‑1‑1k, 6‑2‑5, 7‑1‑2 PENALTY 3, 8‑2‑4 PENALTY, 8‑4‑3, 10‑1‑1
