The NFHS Softball Rules Committee believes that improvements have been made in umpires identifying illegal pitches and therefore, a reduction in the number of illegal pitches thrown by pitchers. In order to continue those improvements, pitching will again be emphasized in 2009. The most common pitching infractions include:

A. Leap. A "leap" is when both feet are airborne by the pitcher prior to releasing the ball. The pivot foot must stay in contact with the ground as it drags away from the pitching plate until the lead foot touches the ground. If both feet are off the ground at the same time during the delivery, this is a "leap" and an illegal pitch shall be called by the base umpire.

B. Crow Hop. A "crow hop" is defined as a re-plant of the pivot foot prior to releasing the ball. This can be done by sliding the foot in front of the pitching plate, lifting the pivot foot and stepping forward, and/or jumping forward with the pivot foot off the pitching plate prior to starting the pitch. To help determine whether the pitcher has replanted her pivot foot, the umpire should look at the location of the pivot foot when the hands separate to start the pitch. If the pivot foot is off and in front of the pitching plate before the hands separate to start the pitch, this would be a "crow hop" and an illegal pitch shall be called by the base umpire.

C. 24-Inch Plate Violation. Both feet must start within or partially with the 24-inch length of the pitching plate. As the pitcher winds up and delivers the pitch, the stride foot and the pivot foot must remain in or

partially within the pitching plate. Enforcement of this rule is the responsibility of the plate umpire. Failure to call this infraction gives the pitcher an added advantage not intended by rule as it allows her to put more movement on the ball.

Improvements have also been made in the areas of obstruction and interference. Rules changes in recent years and clearer definitions have contributed to the improvements. Consistent application and enforcement of the rules remains the goal.

A. Obstruction. Obstruction requires a clear defensive infraction. Two separate and distinct conditions must occur for a violation to occur. The first situation is that a defensive player cannot block a runner's access to a base or base path without being in possession of the ball. The second is that, in order for an infraction to take place, the runner must be hindered or impeded. For obstruction to be called, both situations must occur. If a fielder is blocking a base without the ball and the runner has not yet been impeded in any fashion, i.e., she has not been slowed down or had her path altered, she has not been obstructed. As the play becomes imminent, if the fielder obtains the ball before the runner is hindered, no infraction has occurred. If, as the play becomes imminent, the fielder's location limits the runner's access to a base or base path, and the fielder does not yet have the ball, obstruction shall be called.

B. Interference. A runner legally running the bases has full responsibility to avoid contact with a fielder who is attempting to make an initial play on a fair batted ball. After a fielder has had an opportunity to make an initial play, the responsibility for contact changes. Once a fielder (except the pitcher) misplays a batted ball, and the ball is beyond a step and a reach of that fielder, she is no longer protected and therefore, is not permitted to obstruct the advancement of a runner. Balance between offense and, defense is attained by clearly defining the parameters of responsibility for the fielder and the runner.

C. Umpiring. Umpires must maintain proper positioning and stay attuned for any potential obstruction or interference violations before focusing on the impending tag. Making the proper call and signal is essential, even when the award may be the base already obtained by the obstructed runner. This communicates to the defense that it has committed an infraction. This is important information and must be communicated so that the team doesn’t commit the same infraction again, when the situation is more significant and the penalty much more costly.

It is believed that many coaches and umpires still may not completely understand the DP/FLEX rule (3-3-6) since it was passed in 2004. The committee felt a "refresher" would be appropriate to more fully understand and utilize all the options available with the rule. The DP/FLEX rule was originally adopted because it provides more participation opportunities for student-athletes and more flexibility to coaches.

A. For Coaches – Basic Rules to Remember. Keep these basic rules in mind:

1. Decide the 10 players you want to be designated as starters: 1) list the nine players you want to have in the batting order on lines 1 through 9; 2) list the name of the remaining player (FLEX) on the tenth line.

2. Fill in the defensive positions and list the player not initially playing defense as the DP.

3. When making lineup changes:

a. The DP cannot play defense only and the FLEX cannot play offense only.

b. When the DP spot in the batting order comes up, either the DP, FLEX, or their legal substitutes must bat or run the bases. It is the only offensive spot the DP or FLEX player may hold.

c. The DP can replace anyone on defense any time, any number of times while the FLEX player may replace the DP any time, any number of times.

d. When any of the first nine players listed on the card leaves the batting order, she has left the game and when the FLEX player leaves the game on defense, she has left the game.

B. For Coaches – Basic Utilization Strategies. The following are two basic strategies a coach might utilize to match the skills of the DP and FLEX players to complement one another. Further examples can be found on the NFHS Web site (www.nfhs.org).

1. Objective: to utilize a fast runner who is a weak hitter (FLEX) to run for the solid hitting DP.

a. Matchup: assuming your pitcher can hit for herself, pair up an solid hitter (DP) with a player of exceptional speed but who is a weak hitter (FLEX).

b. Typical sequence: DP hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; DP reenters and hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; sub #1 hits for DP (since the DP already used her one reentry), FLEX enters to run for sub #1; sub #1 reenters and hits safely; FLEX enters to run for sub #1; sub #2 hits safely; FLEX enters to run for her; and so on.

2. Objective: list a power hitter as the FLEX player when you have a platoon of players who will be the DP’s.

a. Matchup: assuming your pitcher can hit for herself, pair up an average player (DP) with a good hitting, but slow runner (FLEX) who also plays defense. Also used for a good hitting pitcher (FLEX) who you do not want running the bases unnecessarily.

b. Typical sequence: as the spot in the batting order comes up, enter the FLEX who hits safely; reenter the DP to run; enter the FLEX who hits safely; sub #1 enters to run (since the DP already used her one reentry); enter the FLEX who hits safely; sub #1 reenters to run; FLEX hits safely; sub #2 enters to run; and so on.

C. For Umpires. The following are helpful hints in properly maintaining your lineup card:

1. A team may use the DP/FLEX option provided it is made know prior to the start of the game.

2. The DP’s name is indicated on the lineup as one of the nine hitters in the batting order.

4. The DP may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the FLEX may play offense for the DP. In either case, the DP has left the game.

5. The DP may play defense at any position.

6. The FLEX may be substituted for at any time by a legal substitute or the DP may play defense for the FLEX. In either case, the FLEX has left the game.

7. Placing the FLEX into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the DP’s position is considered an illegal substitution.

8. A team may go from 10 to nine players and back to 10 any number of times during the game; the game may also end with 10 or nine players.