EACH WEEK THE “WEEKLY BLAST” WILL ADDRESS CONCERNS/ISSUES AS POINTS OF EMPHASIS OBSERVED IN GAMES DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.
BATTER-RUNNER – We have had some confusion on what the ruling is when a batter-runner after hitting a fair ball stops on her path to 1st base and steps back toward home plate to avoid a tag. By rule (8-2-5) the ball is dead immediately, the batter-runner is out, and all base runners must return to the last base occupied at the time of the infraction. You may also go to TABLE 5-1 “Dead Ball” Table #33 for more reference.
HELMET RECONDITIONING – The NFHS has recommend that all sports requiring safety helmets (football, baseball, softball, boy’s lacrosse) should be cleaned and inspected on a regular basis. It is also recommend that such helmets be reconditioned and recertified annually. For certification standards you can go to; www.naera.net. NOTE: The legality of all equipment is the responsibility of the head coach.
CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – September is the GHSA Cancer Awareness Month for fall sports.
UMPIRE UNIFORMS – All GHSA registered umpires shall wear the approved GHSA uniform at ALL games involving GHSA member schools, including those against GISA and GAAPS schools.
OFFICIALS APPRECIATION WEEK – The GHSA has started a new seasonal program to show appreciation for the individuals who commit to officiating GHSA member schools’ activities. For fall sports the week is September 19 – 24. Please present your umpires with some kind gesture to show your appreciation for what they do. Keep in mind without officials it would be called “recess”.
NFHS WEEKLY RULE SITUATION INTERPRETATION
OBSTRUCTION – Rules 2-36, 8-1-1d, 8-4-3b: First, you must understand the difference between “obstruction” and “interference”. Obstruction is an act by a defensive player without the ball to hinder a batter from making contact with the pitched ball, or impedes the advancement of the batter-runner or runner who is running the bases. Interference is an act by a member of the offensive team to impede the ability of a defensive player to make a play on the ball.
Keys to interpret obstruction correctly:
- A defensive player may NOT block the base/plate without the ball.
- An obstructed runner is always advanced at least one base for being obstructed.
- An obstructed runner cannot be put out once they have been obstructed.
- An obstructed runner is not awarded a base they did not attempt to obtain.
- If a runner obtains the base they would have reached without an obstruction there is no need to signal obstruction.
Keep in mind obstruction is a “judgment call”, and is based on a decision concerning a runner’s movement was impeded, altered, or stopped due to a defender’s actions. These should be the only factors in considering whether obstruction occurred.
