CIF Baseball Memo (updated 02/03/10)

Memorandum
 
DATE: January 25, 2010  UPDATED: February 3, 2010 (To reflect addition of 3-3-1-a and 3-3-1-j)
TO: CIF Baseball Coaches, CIF Umpires, Roger Blake, Ron Nocetti
FROM : Ken Allan, California State Baseball Rules Interpreter
RE: 2010 Rule Interpretations
The following information is provided to commissioners, coaches and umpires in an effort to provide consistency in rule enforcement and game management. Any questions should be directed to Ken Allan at: kensport101@earthlink.net.
3-3-1-a
3-3-1-j 
 
Some dugouts have just one, narrow, entrance. In some cases, one or more coaches have been outside the dugouts during a live ball. Sometimes, when umpires request that coaches remain in the dugout, the umpires are met with resistance. In 2010 there will be a change. Beginning with the 2010 season, umpires are to strictly enforce rules 3-3-1-a and 3-3-1-j, which prohibits coaches and players from being outside the dugout except as provided by rule.
This enforcement is in effect at all levels of CIF baseball.
For your information these are the rules in their entirety:
3-3-1-a
" A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not: (a) leave the dugout during a live ball for an unauthorized purpose..
3-3-1-j
" A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not: (j) be outside the designated dugout, (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on defense."
PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE:
.At the end of playing action, (for the first offense) the umpire shall  issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected.. 3-3-1 Pen
PLAY: One or more coaches or players are standing against the fence outside and at the entrance to the dugout during a live ball. RULING: Stop the game at the conclusion of play and warn the head coach that a further violation by his team will result in the offending coach or player being ejected from the game.
PLAY: One or more coaches or players are standing at the entrance to the dugout but not on the playing field. RULING: This is legal.
PLAY: In the second inning, one of the two assistant coaches is warned about being outside the dugout during a live ball. In the fifth inning, a different coach or a player is outside the dugout during a live ball. RULING: By rule, any coach or player outside the dugout after a warning shall be ejected from the game.
PLAY: In the fifth inning, after a team warning, several players leave the dugout during a live ball to congratulate a scoring runner. RULING: As per 3-3-1-a and 3-3-1-j Pen, every player out of the dugout is subject to ejection.
PLAY: After a team warning, the batter hits a three run homer outside the park. Several players leave the dugout to congratulate the batter. RULING: Since the ball is dead after leaving the park, there is no penalty.
3-3-1-g-6
Assistant coaches are now prohibited from leaving the vicinity of the dugout or coaching box to dispute a judgment call by an umpire. There is no warning. The penalty is that both the head coach and the involved assistant coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. If the incident is severe enough, the umpires also have the authority to eject the offending coach and either restrict or also eject the head coach.
6-1-3 Case Book
The National Federation has relaxed its position on the so called .gorilla stance.. Beginning with the 2010 season, the stance is legal provided that the arm is hanging straight down and is not swinging. If the arm is swinging, it is a balk because it will be considered the beginning of the pitching motion. Umpires have been instructed to use good judgment on this.
7-3-2
A provision has been added that a batter is out if he hits the ball fair, foul or foul tip while either foot or knee is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter.s box or touching home plate
7-4-1-f
On interference involving a foul ball, the person causing the interference, including the runner, shall be called out. Previously, the rule read that the batter would be called out for interference by any member (including the runner) of the offensive team. The rule change provides that if the runner interferes, the runner, and not the batter, will be called out.
 
8-1-1-d
This is an editorial change to clarify that if a pitch hits a batter, the umpire must only judge if the batter permitted the ball to hit him. If the umpire believes the batter could have moved out of the way, he is not awarded first base.
PLAY: On a 1-1 count, the pitcher delivers a change-up which hits the batter, who makes no effort to move out of the way. RULING: The ball is
dead, the batter is not awarded first base and remains the batter with a 2-1 count. Should the pitch be in the strike zone, the umpire will call the pitch a strike.
PLAY: On a 1-1 count, the batter appears to .roll. out of the way of the pitch. However, at the moment of impact, it is the batter who causes contact with the ball. RULING: The ball is dead. The batter is not awarded first base and is charged with a ball or strike as the case may be.
PLAY: On a 1-1 count, the pitcher delivers a fast ball which hits the batter in the ribs. The batter makes no effort to move out of the way. RULING: The ball is dead. In this case, it is quite likely the batter .froze. and had no chance to get out of the way. He should be awarded first base. This is strictly umpire judgment.
CIF PITCHING LIMITATION RULE
There has been confusion regarding Blue Book Article 150 1500 (d) regarding an appearance by the pitcher.
This is the rule: An appearance is defined as a pitcher pitching at least one pitch. The interpretation is that a pitcher, who delivers one pitch then is
later removed from the mound and then returns to pitch later in the same game, shall be charged with two appearances.
PLAY: The starting pitcher is removed from the game as a pitcher in the 3rd inning and either a) moves to another defensive position, or b) goes to the dugout. In the 5th inning, the same pitcher returns to the mound. RULING: The pitcher is charged with two appearances.
CIF POINTS OF EMPHASIS
COACHES I -- Sometimes there will be a situation in a game where opposing coaches may agree to set aside a rule. An example would be throw-down bases. By rule, this is prohibited. As much as a cooperative attitude by coaches is appreciated, umpires are required to enforce rules as written, not based on whether both coaches agree to set aside a rule.
COACHES II -- There are situations where, for example, an umpire, during pregame inspection of equipment, may declare a helmet cracked and thus
not allowed for play. Sometimes the response from a coach is: .We've used that helmet all season and you are the only umpire to say anything.. There are countless other examples of, .You are the only umpire...., etc. etc. Bottom line: Umpires rule on such matters on a game-by-game basis.
 
GAME MANAGEMENT: Some fields are still not being marked with a three-foot runner.s lane. In accordance with rule 1-2-5, please be sure the three-foot running lane is properly marked.
PREGAME EQUIPMENT/BAT INSPECTION: Coaches continue to do a good job in making sure bats and helmets are out of the equipment bags for pre game inspection by the umpires. Please continue doing this as it makes it much easier for umpires not to have to go on a .treasure hunt. to find bats and helmets for inspection.
COACH.S UNIFORMS: As per rule 3-2-1, coaches must be in the uniform of their team. As a guideline, the following is acceptable: Baseball shoes, baseball pants, a jersey top similar to what the team is wearing, either a tee shirt with a team logo, wind shirt with a team logo, a jacket and a baseball cap. The following is NOT acceptable at ANY level: Coaches who are wearing shorts, or other non-baseball attire such as, but not limited to, sweatpants, jeans, tennis shoes or sandals. These items are not permissible. This rule has been in effect for the past few years. The penalty for non-compliance is that the coach is restricted to the dugout. If the team.s only coach is in non-compliance, he will be allowed on the field to participate in the pre-game meeting with the umpires
 
CREW CONFERENCE  
In order to eliminate further delay by a coach after a crew conference, the following continues to be in effect. It began with the 2008 season and appears to have been well received by both coaches and umpires.
Umpires are not required to hold a conference if the calling umpire is sure he got the play right. However, if, at the request of a defensive coach, the crew gathers to discuss a call, the coach must return to the dugout before the crew discusses the call. The coach must also remain in the dugout if the decision has been upheld .
If the conference is made at the request of the offensive coach, he must return either to the coaching box or the dugout as provided above.
A requesting coach returning to the field to continue the discussion after a decision has been upheld is subject to being remanded to the dugout for delaying the game, or if behavior warrants, ejection from the game.
If the call is changed, the opposing coach is permitted on the field only for the purpose of getting an explanation of the reversed call.
POST-GAME BEHAVIOR
Currently NFHS rules cover the conduct of players and coaches during a game. There is no coverage of a penalty for coach or player conduct after a game. As a result, there have been instances of coaches and/or players, knowing there is no penalty, acting with non-sporting behavior toward umpires after a game.
In the event of post-game behavior by a coach or player that would result in an ejection during a game, the coach and/or player will be informed by the umpires that his behavior will be reported as an ejection. This policy is in effect until the umpires leave the game site.
This issue should be addressed by each CIF section to decide whether or not to adopt this policy.
LOWER LEVEL COACHES
1) Please remember that many of the umpires assigned to lower level games are fairly new and that mistakes will be made both in the application of rules and game management. Tolerance toward umpires in this respect would be greatly appreciated. However umpires, regardless of their level of experience, are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and CIF umpires are held accountable for their actions. If you have, or hear of, any problems regarding umpire professionalism, please advise your local liaison or assigner.
2) Please review the item above concerning coaches. uniforms. Most of the violations seem to occur in lower level games. Finally, I would like to thank all coaches for their cooperation and good luck for the 2010 season.