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2023 NFHS Baseball Rules Test
Prohibition of Jewelry Removed in High School Baseball Rules
High school baseball players and coaches will be permitted to wear jewelry in 2023 after the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee voted to remove its prohibition from the rules. Previously, only medical and religious medals were permitted by rule.
This change to Rule 1-5-12 was one of the rules changes approved by the committee at its June 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
While most jewelry will be permitted, the Baseball Rules Committee noted that the current rules still state that any jewelry worn that poses harm or injury to a player or opponent should be removed.
“The game of baseball has evolved and players have demonstrated that wearing a bracelet or a necklace does not impede their ability to play or increase any risk to themselves or their opponents,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee.
NYSBUA Calendar
What follows is the current schedule for all rules interpretation clinics for the 2023 season.
Please remember that each chapter’s interpreter (or his assigned representative) MUST attend at least one rules interpretation clinic for your chapter to remain eligible to participate in the State Tournament.
NFHS Baseball Rules Changes - 2022
6-1-1: Change: ART. 1 . . . The pitcher shall pitch while facing the batter from either a windup position (Art.2) or set position (Art.3). The position of his feet determine whether he will pitch from the windup or the set position. He shall take or simulate taking his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitching regulations begin when he intentionally contacts the pitcher’s plate. Turning the shoulders after bringing the hands together during or after the stretch is a balk. He shall not make a quick-return pitch in an attempt to catch a batter off balance. The catcher shall have both feet in the catcher’s box at the time of the pitch. If a pitcher is ambidextrous, the umpire shall require the pitcher to face a batter as either a left-handed or right-handed pitcher, but not both.
Rationale: The pitcher acquiring the sign from the catcher is one of the fundamental rules of baseball. It not only signals the defensive team that action is about to be initiated, but it also establishes when an offensive base runner(s) can take a lead-off from his/her base. That simple act has evolved over the last decade but was not supported by an accompanying rule. This change validates the pitcher taking the sign from the dugout/bench via “call” signs, numbers, colors, or an arm wristband/placard that contains printed cards where the defensive set up/pitching repertoire is located. This aspect of the game has become more sophisticated to match the skill level and ability of today’s high school baseball player.
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