rule changes – Central Jersey Sports Radio

11:06 pm Tuesday: While many of you were sleeping, or getting ready to turn in, Winter officially turned into Spring, and that means high school baseball is almost here.

Opening Day is less than two weeks away, and over that time period, we’ll be previewing the season, including the reveal of our 2024 Broadcast Schedule later this week.

For now, we’re taking a look at some changes to high school baseball for the upcoming season.

New Technology…

As sports at all levels continue to embrace technology in their games – issues with basketball aside – the NJSIAA will follow newly-adopted NFHS rules on electronic communication equipment.

The new rules allow one-way devices from the dugout to the catcher while that team is on defense for the purpose of calling pitches. Only catchers could be on the receiving end of such a system, and coaches must communicate only from the dugout or bench area. Violations carry a warning for the first offense; subsequent violations will result in ejection of any offenders and the head coach.

Surely, not all schools may be able to afford the technology, and some may just not use it at all. One coach told Central Jersey Sports Radio the technology may not be that much of a help since the catcher can’t communicate back. Additionally, they felt it might be more worthwhile for their players to learn how to communicate without it.

…And Older Technology:

The NFHS cleared up rules for wristbands worn by players in the field, allowing them as long as they are a “single, solid color.” In addition, a wristband worn by a pitcher may not contain the colors white or gray, not shall it “be distracting.” It doesn’t necessarily have to match the color of the uniform or longer sleeves of any shirt worn under a uniform, but it must be work on a player’s wrist of forearm, and pitchers must wear it on their non-pitching arm.

Previously, there were no regulations on arm or wristbands, and they had been worn in various places. The new rules aim toward uniformity.

Who’s The Boss?

The NFHS eliminated “spectators” from the list of those whose infractions could result in the forfeit a game. Its rationale is that “umpires have jurisdiction over the confines of the field, players, coaches and team/bench personnel. If there are issues with spectators, it is the responsibility of game management to deal with spectators and to ensure that the facility is safe for all involved.”

Last season, during a state playoff game at Rutgers Prep – in a game covered by Central Jersey Sports Radio – we observed a visiting fan who appeared to be supporting visiting Morris Catholic haranguing the umpires all game. Eventually, he sat on a ledge area about 15 feet from the backstop and continued to shout at them. The umpire ejected the fan from the game, and though he moved away and was quiet the rest of the game, he never left, instead mingling among the visiting fans.

In this instance, it would appear that it would now be up to school officials to handle the situation, rather than the umpires.

Standardized Pitch Count Rules

Last season, Ridge was disqualified from the state playoffs when they were made to forfeit a game after starter Connor Byrne threw 151 pitches, one over the maximum allowed by NJSIAA rules.

And though the rules were clear in print, they were also inconsistent. No pitcher can throw more than 110 pitches in a day, and 150 in a five-day period. Daily pitch limits can be reduced depending how much rest a pitcher has had since their last outing.

But the daily pitch limits allowed a pitcher to finish facing a batter, even if it meant going over that limit. While the five-day limit required a pitcher to come out of the game even if it was in the middle of an at mat.

To avoid confusion, the NJSIAA changed the rule back in September to make it uniform: pitchers are now allowed to finish facing a batter, regardless of which limit is reached.

Many coaches statewide supported the change for clarity’s sake, and the NJSIAA’s Chief Operating Officer and baseball director Tony Maselli told NJ.com after it was made that “Every one of these 150-pitch violations, the coach thought they could finish the batter. We’re saving the coaches from themselves with this rule.”

“Join us for tip-off time at … wait a sec, make that, join us for the coin-toss at 7 pm.”

Coin toss?

Indeed.

It’ll take some getting used to for 2020, but high school basketball in the era of COVID-19 won’t include an opening tip off.

Instead, there will be a coin toss.

It’s part of myriad rules changes by the National Federation of State High School Associations – also known as NFHS – whose regulations the NJSIAA follows. They are aimed at protecting officials, many of whom are older and may be at greater risk for contracting COVID-19, and having more serious health complications.

Jack Baum, Skyland Conference Assignor of Officials – who also assigns referees for the state tournament and Tournament of Champions – was involved in helping the NJSIAA outline the changes for referees, coaches and student-athletes.

Click below to listen to Jack Baum give a thorough explanation on the NFHS changes, and how they will affect high school basketball in New Jersey this season:

Specifically, rule modification 6-2-2 – “Elimination of the Jump Ball Procedure” – stipulates that the jump ball to start a game will be eliminated, and that “Choice of first possession of the ball [goes] to the team winning a coin toss, called by the visiting team.”

From there, standard rules apply regarding the alternating possession arrow. So, if Team A wins the toss and elects to start with the ball, the arrow would go to Team B once the throw-in takes place, much like the typical held ball situation.

Overtime periods would begin with the team that has possession based on the arrow inbounding the ball.

Click here for the complete NJSIAA document regarding COVID-19 related rule and procedure changes for 2021 high school basketball.

The other major change is that officials are “not required to touch (or handle) the ball prior to a throw-in or free throw,” according to a modification of rule 2.7.2.

Inotherwords, when a foul occurs, instead of the ball being handed to the official by whatever player has it, the players on the team that was fouled would retrieve the ball, and give it directly to to the player who is awarded foul shots, or the player chosen to inbound the ball.

Typically, the ball is “at the disposal” of the player when they get it from the referee. But, in this case – either at the foul line or on an inbound – the player may have the ball, but the official will present the “stop clock” signal – their hand extended with an open palm – followed by “one short blast of the whistle.” This would signal play can begin, and the official would begin the appropriate count: five seconds for either a free-throw or inbound. Officials also may use verbal cues.

Of note is the fact that it is “not required,” that officials touch the ball during the game, but they would be permitted to if they wanted to. Both Baum and Tony Maselli – NJSIAA Assistant Director in charge of officials – confirmed to Central Jersey Sports Radio that this is the case; it’s up to the discretion of the officials.

The situation is similar for an out-of-bounds play or a time out. If the ball goes out of bounds off Team A, then Team B should retrieve the ball and prepare for an inbound play. The same goes for the inbounding the ball at the start of a quarter; the team responsible for inbounding should retrieve the ball and place it at the spot for the inbound.

Similarly, for time outs, if Team A has the ball, and calls time out, Team A should place the ball at the spot to inbound, then return to its bench area.

Other changes include:

Only one player has to report to the “X” at the scorer’s table for a substitution
Benches may be located on opposite sidelines, and in those cases should be diagonally across from each other.
Teams across the court from the scorer’s table would also have a substitution “X” on their side of the floor, and game officials would be required to visually scan for subs before resuming play.
Referees can verbally and visually confirm rosters and starters with the scorekeeper, but “will not touch books, pens/pencils, or be required to sign the scorer’s book.”
Pre-game conferences with teams will be limited to one official, the head coaches, and one captain from each team, during which the coin toss will be held. There will be no handshakes before or after.
Coaches and students on the bench or sidelines must wear face coverings. There are exceptions for health reasons, extreme heat, or “high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities,” which would include those playing in the game and referees.
Neck gaiters are allowed, but not recommended for indoors. Colors need not necessarily match uniform colors, according to Baum.

Click below for a full presentation on the rules changes and rule interpretations shared with NJSIAA officials for the 2021 basketball season:

196-Interpretation-Meeting-Oct-20-2020 Download