NASSAU COUNTY SOFTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.
NYSSO RULES UPDATE – 4/07/2024
PACE OF PLAY By rule, teams get 1 minute or 5 warm-up pitches between innings. They are limited to whichever comes first. The time starts at the recording of the 3rd out. Remind the teams of this during your pre-game coaches’ conference. Go to the defensive dugout during the first inning a politely and appropriately encourage them to move things along. Both sides are entitled to their 1 minute. There is no “hurry up” offense or defense. Base umpires are directed to stand in fair ground off the first base line near the “lip” of a proper softball field. The only exception to this is if the umpire is in immediate danger of getting hit by outfield warm-ups. Defenders merely warming up is NOT an excuse to go hang out near the three-foot running lane. There is no prohibition against using a timer between innings, although one is not required in NYSSO. Perhaps using one may be eye-opening for just how poorly we manage this rule. As always, use common sense, good judgment and thoughtful reasoning when invoking a rule for its intended purpose. Whether conditions, who leads off, who was left on base when the inning ended, etc. are all things to pay attention to and be mindful of when keeping the game moving. Additionally, there are restrictions on the batter when she comes to the plate. Unless an exception applies, the batter must remain in the box, with at least one foot, between pitches. The math is simple: If you allow an additional five seconds between pitches and you allow 90 seconds between each half-inning, you have added 30 minutes onto the length of the game. Rule 7-3-d states: after entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot between pitches and while taking signals and practice swings.
Exceptions: The batter may leave the box:
1. When the ball is batted fair or foul.
2. On a swing, slap or check swing.
3. When forced out of the box by a pitch.
4. On a wild pitch or passed ball.
5. When a play is attempted.
6. When time has been called.
7. When the pitcher leaves the 8-foot circle or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.
8. When the count reaches three balls and the next pitch is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.
Effect: If the batter leaves the batter’s box and delays play, for any other reason than 1-8 above:
1. The ball is dead.
2. The umpire may warn the batter or
3. Call a strike.
4. Any number of warnings and called strikes can be made with each batter.
Note: No pitch has to be thrown. (Junior Olympic Fast and Slow Pitch) R/S 5 goes on to say: This rule is not intended to penalize the player, but is used to speed up the game. The batter can still get a signal with one foot in the box and take practice swings. If the batter leaves the box illegally, a warning should be given. Any number of warnings on the same batter may be given. A strike should not be called without a warning. One, two or three strikes may be called on the same batter under this ruling.
GORILLA GOLD The original Gorilla Gold towel, unaltered, is permitted. USA Softball approved this item in 2009. This towel is beige in color and is the “all sport formula.” The “tackiness” does not transfer to the ball. The Gorilla Gold Golf, which is a white towel, is not permitted. This is very tacky and transfers to the ball, so it is not permitted. Altering the approved towel is illegal. A “once legal” towel that is now transferring to the ball is prohibited.
OFFICIAL GAME If a game is stopped prior to becoming an official game, whether due to a time restriction, darkness, weather, etc., then the game will be resumed from exactly where it left off. Allow for proper warm-ups when the game resumes. Always keep a clear and accurate line-up, especially when the game may be resumed with a new umpiring crew and the line-ups will need to be transferred to them. If the game has become official by rule, then the game is considered completed unless there is a predetermined tournament / post-season rule in place. Note: NYSSO is aware that at least one conference/league with a section has a rule that violates this rule. NYSSO has brought this to the attention of the NYSPHSAA Softball Chairperson. There is no NYSPHSAA waiver allowing a game to be completed restarted. As such, the rule as written in the rulebook shall be enforced regardless of any contrary writing.
ON-DECK BATTER Rule 7-1 addresses the on-deck batter. There may only be one. At the start of the inning, the ondeck batter is the leadoff batter. She is restricted to her own on-deck circle. All other offensive players belong in the team area / dugout. The exceptions to on-deck batter location only apply once a batter is in the box batting. They do not apply to start the inning.
OBSTRUCTION Under USA Softball rules, an offensive player must actually be hindered or impeded for obstruction to be ruled. Mere presence or positioning does not equal obstruction. This has not changed. This was the requirement even 20 years ago before elimination of the “about to receive a thrown ball” element that no long exists.
OBSTRUCTED RUNNER TAGGED OUT For over a decade, NYSSO has asked umpires on the annual exam what happens when an obstructed runner is tagged out before reaching the base to which she was protected. The question was invariably missed by a significant portion of our membership each year. Mechanically, when an obstructed runner is tagged out prior to reaching the base to which she is protected, the umpire shall call “time” or “dead ball.” The umpire does that because the ball is dead. Then, the umpire does one of two things: (1) award a base moving forward; or (2) return the runner to the previous base if the umpire is positive that the runner would not have reached the next base had she not been obstructed. Do not simply point to the next base, including if the runner ultimately gets to the bag after being tagged out. Use the proper mechanics. Other runners may be affected by killing the play. The appropriate base awards need to made for those runners as well.
INFIELD FLY + INTENTIONALLY DROPPED BALL NYSSO Test Clarification: If an infield fly is intentionally dropped, the ball remains live. This is because the batter-runner is already declared out and thus the runners are not placed in jeopardy.
FORFEITING A GAME NYSSO Test Clarification: Either/any umpire may forfeit a game if warranted. Forfeiting a game is not limited to the discretion of the plate umpire or umpire-in-chief.
2024 Nassau County Softball Officials Association
End of Season Dinner
Patrizias
1040 South Broadway
Hicksville, NY 11801
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Price: $20.00 per member
$50.00 per guest
Includes: Unlimited beer, wine and soda, appetizers, sit down dinner and dessert.
Raffle tickets will be sold at door.
Check to: NCSBOA due by June 10th.
Send to:
Jack Kisilinsky
87 Intervale Avenue
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Or
Bill Pettas
2388 Rockville Centre Pkwy
Oceanside, NY 11572
The senior game will take place at Farmingdale State college June 16th at 6:00pm.
Anyone interested in helping out by officiating an inning or two, contact Bob Price - Rpricesoftball@gmail.com.
Service credit is given to those who participate.
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TESTING CONCERNS •
The test closes on March 31, 2024. Test must be taken before the your first game.• The passing score is 76% • Only umpires who failed the test by NYSSO standards may retake the test. Retakes simply to get a better score or to build your pool of questions for next year is prohibited. • • “I think I finished my test, but the thing keeps spinning.” Per the instructions NYSSO sent out to all members, “The program will indicate that it is waiting to start the next activity. That will not apply. You may leave the test.
RULES
• METAL CLEATS
o Metal cleats are permitted for all levels this season, Spring of 2024. This is for test purposes. Section VIII is not allowing metal spikes for modified (JHS) play
• EYE BLACK
o There is no “eye black” restriction, provided it isn’t unsporting. Excessive, poorly done, poorly designed, not your particular taste, etc.” does not amount to unsporting. When it doubt, err on the side of participation, not disqualification. Remember, this is not NFHS and we aren’t PIAA. •
FASHIION POLICE
o NYSSO umpires do not wear zebra striped shirts – we are NOT the fashion police. Teams swap home and away, uniform orders come in late or don’t reflect what was actually ordered, parents screw up laundry, high schoolers are forgetful. Find a way to justify allowing players to play.
• PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
o Refer to pages 51 and 52 for guidance regarding having a rostered player who you might not have expected. Coaches may only submit lineups for players meeting their schools’ standards. Questioning it is outside the officials’ jurisdiction.
• APPEALS
o Softball allows both live ball and dead ball appeals. Remember, once runners have completed their attempted base running responsibilities and the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the defense can simply request “time.” Once granted, they can verbally announce what they are appealing. Throwing to the base isn’t necessary and, arguably, is a nullity since the ball is dead anyway.
• CATCHER’S BOX
o Regardless of how it may be drawn erroneously on the field, the width of the catcher’s box extends to the outer
most line of each batter’s box. That makes the box 8’ 5”.
• INTENTIONAL BASE-ON-BALLS
o Intentionally walking a batter requires the pitcher to throw four pitches declare “ball” by the plate umpire. There are no automatic intentional walks in USA Softball. The pitcher may not drop the ball or intentionally create an illegal pitch to avoid throwing four balls. The catcher is permitted to stand anyway in the catcher’s box (this is true even when not attempting to intentionally walk a batter). They are restricted to the box until the pitch is released. After that, she can move as far out as she wishes.
• UNREPORTRED SUBS
o Despite NYS not penalizing a player for being an unreported substitute, substitutes must be reported to the plate umpire. This is the only way to ensure the integrity of the lineup by knowing who has entered and who has been removed. It is the plate umpire’s responsibility to report changes to the other team.
NYS Rules exceptions to USA Rules (pdf)
DownloadHere is the jacket that we are transitioning to.
This is the thermal fleece full zipper.
For more information, go to the links page, click on The Sports Loft, Click on Group and State Association, scroll down to NYSSO and click.
Here is the jacket that we are transitioning to. This is the 1/2 zip pullover. For more information, go to the link page, click on The Sports Loft, Click on Group and State Association, scroll down to NYSSO and click.
Welcome back to all members of the NCSBOA,
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday celebrating with your family and friends and are well rested to begin the 2024 softball season.
It is my honor to represent you for the next two years, alongside your current Board Members:
Frank Sheehan (Past Chairperson), Rick Norris (Rules Interpreter), Tom Cully (Treasurer), Patricia Carbo (Corresponding Secretary), Brad Patterson (Recording Secretary), Bill Pettas and Jack Kisilinsky (Members At Large), Mike Beyer (OCC Representative).
As you are aware of the passing of Jeff Cohen (Chairperson Elect), we will be holding a special election on March 11 to fill this vacant position. If you are interested in having your name placed on the ballot, please let me or another member of the board know.
We will be holding our first Membership meeting of the season on March 5, 2024. This is our Rules Interpretation meeting and is mandatory for all. The meeting will be held at East Meadow High School beginning at 7:30 I. The Little Theater. Additional meeting dates are posted on the website along with other valuable information.
Our New Candidates class will begin on January 9, 2024 at East Meadow HIgh School. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please refer them to Rick Norris.
BOCES has begun using a new platform for availability: ZebraWeb. You all should have received a link for the Spring training session for January 16th. If you have not, please let Brad know.
Please confirm all your contact information with Patricia Carbo. After attempting to contact members, phone numbers and email addresses were incorrect. It is very important that this information is correct and up to date. I am asking that this be taken care of at our first meeting.
I would like to congratulate the following individuals on being promoted to the Varsity level: Joe DiNicola, Marty Finn, Frank Janoscak, Kevin Koenig, Larry Maggiotto, Mike Punch and Robert Saccente.
Rick and I will be attending the NYSSO State Meeting in February. We will inform you of any rule changes and or updates at our first meeting.
Please reach out to myself or any board member if you have any questions or concerns regarding our upcoming season.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christina Bivona
Chairperson, NCSBOA
.
Congratulations to the officials that had the privilege and honor to officiate the County Finals, LI Championships and State Championships.
Congratulations to all that worked the County playoffs.
AA Finals
Tom Cully
Frank Sheehan
Rick Norris
A Finals
Peter Bilianis
Gibson Barriga
Jack Kisilinsky
B Finals
Hector Baker
Paul Barnathan
Steve Melchione
AA Long Island Championship
Tom Cully
Rick Norris
Jack Kisilinsky
A Long Island Championship
Frank Sheehan
Steve Moffett
Peter Bilianis
B Long Island Championship
Tom Cully
Frank Sheehan
Rick Norris
B Super Regional
Peter Bilianis
Steve Moffett
Phil Saltalamacchio
State Championship
Jack Kisilinsky
Rick Norris
Straight line, completely blocked out. Any call is just a guess
Original B position, better look than straight line, but still a guess on anything reasonably close.
Almost to 90 degrees from the base, a much better look, but are you sure that she is not touching the base?
90 degrees from the base, perfect calling position, here you can be 100 percent sure she is out as she never reached the base.
This bat was taken out of play by one of our officials. It has cracks and a large chip. It should not be allowed.
These bats have the 2014 logo. They are slow pitch bats and illegal. The are not allowed in high school play.
If there is an emergency situation, please make sure you follow the procedure outlined below.
Emergencies are situations that are happening today, auto accidents, sickness etc. It is NOT an emergency in you have to turn back a game several days in the future.
First try the BOCES number, 516-396-2446.
If afterhours, weekends or holidays call the emergency Step 1 call 516 997 4861
Step 2 tell the operator you are an official
Step 3 tell the operator it is a girl's game
Step 4 tell the operator what number they can reach you at
Step 5 BOCES will contact you as soon as possible
If you are privy to Grace's cell phone, it is NOT to be used for the above situations.
Here is a summary of the run rules and runs per inning rule broken down by level.
Varsity
12 run Rule after at least 5 innings: No visiting team can win by the 12 run rule in the top of any partial 5th, 6th, or 7th inning.
There are no runs per inning rule on the varsity level.
JV
12 run Rule after at least 5 innings: No visiting team can win by the 12 run rule in the top of any partial 5th, 6th, or 7th inning. Innings 1 - 6 allow no more than 3 outs or 5 runs scored. Unlimited runs in 7th inning. With advance notice, inning 5 or 6 could follow the unlimited runs procedure to end a game.
JHS
15 run Rule after at least 5 innings: No visiting team can win by the 15 run rule in the top of any partial 5th, 6th, or 7th inning. Innings 1 - 6 allow no more than 3 outs or 5 runs scored. Unlimited runs in 7th inning. With advance notice, inning 5 or 6 could follow the unlimited runs procedure to end a game.
Hair Adornments are NOT jewelry!!
This ruling is still in effect for the 2023 Softball Season unless NYSPHSAA amends it, in which case we will inform all chapters.
Guidance on how to handle hair adornments for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. Please make sure all of your Spring Chapters get this guidance. NYSPHSAA will be addressing this issue this summer.
a. NYSPHSAA Hair Adornment Moratorium: “Hair adornments, including beads, may be worn provided they are secured and do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates or opponent.”
b. Hair Adornment Guidance for Officials: If an official has a concern with hair adornments, they should express those concerns to the student’s coach and report the concern to the Section; the game/ contest should be played.
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There has been some confusion on bats. For a bat to be legal it needs to have one of the three logos on the left-hand side in the picture on the left. The two logos on the right are for slow pitch and cannot be used. The bats can have either the ASA logo or the USA logo. Either one is legal.
Keep in mind that the bats have to meet all of the other provisions of a legal bat. No burrs, nothing loose in the handle, proper grip etc. They also cannot be on the non-approved bat list, found on the Forms, Policies and Rules page. The list has not been updated by USA softball. The list on the page is current.
The length of the grip in NYS is 10" to 15" as found in the NYS exceptions to USA rules. All the exceptions can be found on the Forms, Policies and Rules page.
I have received calls from our officials that have removed bats not having the proper logo. Great job by those officials.
We always receive inquiries about the clinic when it is almost completed or has been completed. Steve Moffett is now tracking these inquiries and setting up a database to communicate with these potential officials. He will be in contact with them during the time leading up to the start of the next class.
Please send the names, phone numbers and emails of anyone that asks about becoming an official. It will help strengthen our numbers in a time where they are dwindling.
As an added bonus, you will receive monetary reward for anyone that you recommend and becomes a working official.
The first impression is the best impression. Uniforms should be clean and neat. Shoes shined, protective equipment in place (that ball hurts when you get hit, especially in the cold weather!) and at least one ball bag.
Look the part, it goes along way!!!
The Executive Board of the Nassau County Softball Officials Association has ordered hard copies of the 2024 for our members,
The rulebook download is also on the Forms Policies and Rules Tab.
In addition, the rule book and the umpire's manual are available for download free of charge. This becomes a searchable document making finding the particular rule even easier. The link to both is below.
The Nassau County Softball Official's Executive Board is creating an alumni distribution list to keep retired officials updated on what is going on in the Association. If you would like to be a part of that list or know of someone who would, please email Brad Patterson their e-mail. Brad's e-mail is secncsboa@gmail.com
Uniforms:
Our pants are heather gray, not black. Our ball bags are gray or blue, not black. They are worn by plate umpires only, they are never to be worn by base umpires. All our equipment should be left outside the backstop including water and other drinks.
LOOK PROFESSIONAL – BE PROFESSIONAL
Batting out of order:
A key takeaway is, once the next pitch, legal or illegal is thrown, ALL PLAY STANDS.
Bunt vs Slap
There have been some issues on calling batter’s out on ball batted foul on the third strike. If it is a bunt, the batter is indeed out. We need to make sure that it is a bunt and not a slap.
This is not an easy task. There is not a lot of information in the rule book except the definition of a bunt. The ball defines a bunt as “a pitched ball that is intentionally tapped with the bat, slowly, slowly within the infield.”
What else do we look for?
Look at the hands, a bunt usually has the top hand moving up on the bat, a slap the hands are usually together.
Looks at the wrists, did the batter break the wrists? On bunts they don’t on slaps they do.
Look at the path of the bat, on bunts the bat stays steady and moves with the players as she runs forward, on a slap the bat moves forward and usually in a downward path as they like to pound the ball into the ground.
Here is some information from Referee magazine:
The photo above provides an interesting conundrum for umpires. While it is just a snapshot, it leads to some intriguing questions and forces us to get into the rules. At the end of the day, the issue remains the same — what do we have on this play?
To settle the matter, we need to look at both definitions and rules for batting in order to figure out exactly what we have. While at first glance it appears the batter is slapping at the ball, is it really that easy? If you are the base umpire on this game and the plate umpire comes to you for help, what will be your response?
Let’s first take the feet out of the equation. That is a different article for a different day. Let’s instead focus solely on the bat. The first determination we need to make is whether or not this is a bunt attempt. All four major codes define a bunt in relatively the same terms. A bunt is a legally batted ball not swung at but tapped or intentionally tapped into the infield with the bat. The bat is held in the path of the ball and tapped slowly as opposed to a full swing. In the picture above, the batter would need to hold the bat out, leave it and simply run forward and tap the ball at the last minute to even possibly be considered a bunt or drag bunt. Since both hands are down around the knob of the bat, it is more than likely that isn’t the case in this scenario.
If you deem this is a bunt, you must determine if she attempted to bunt or not. In USA Softball, the batter can leave the bat over the plate on a bunt attempt, provided she doesn’t move the bat toward the ball, and not have a strike called if the ball is out of the zone. In all other codes, the batter must pull the bat back in order to not have a strike called. Determining if this is a bunt attempt or not is extremely important with two strikes, because if the batter happens to foul the ball off, she would be out if this is deemed a bunt attempt.
If you determine this isn’t a bunt attempt, the next logical step is to deem it a slap. A slap is a batted ball that has been struck with a short, chopping motion or modified swing as opposed to a full swing. Batters will either set up in a bunting stance and then pull back and slap at the ball or more commonly, as in the picture above, run up toward the pitcher and swing. If the batter happens to contact the ball and fouls it off, it is treated as any other foul ball and not a bunt. Often it is incorrectly referred to as a slap bunt, which is a misnomer.
If you consider this a slap, you must determine whether this is a checked swing or a swing. While difficult to determine from a still photo, there are things umpires must consider to determine if a swing happened. The first is to ascertain if the batter attempts to hit the pitch. Second, we can look at the barrel and see if it is in front of the body or out in front of the front hip (NCAA). Other determinations include: Does the batter roll her wrists, and does she swing through the ball and bring the bat back or does she draw the bat back before the pitch arrives?
There have been instances in games when a pitcher throws a change-up and the batter checks her swing (or swings), pulls back and swings again. If you rule that first attempt was a swing, the second swing does not count. If the batter makes contact on the second attempt, it would be a dead ball and all action from that swing is canceled.
This is why it is extremely important as a base umpire to always look into the plate and make a determination on every swing or checked swing. While the plate umpire may not come to you on every attempt, this situation could blow up on you if you aren’t prepared. In this instance, a simple, “Swing?” request from the plate umpire may not be enough to properly rule on the play and all umpires may need to come together to get the call right.
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