NHSUA Interpreter
Mark Cherbonneau
Cell: 603-475-5711
2019 NFHS Rules Changes
1-1-7, 2-22-4, Table 5-1, 5-1-1o:
The media shall be prohibited from being in live-ball area. The
home team or game management may designate an area for the media in dead ball territory.
Rationale: Clarifies that game management may designate a media area in dead ball territory.
1-5-2a:
The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or adjustable, but must be permanently fastened.
Rationale: Clarifies that an adjustable knob is permissible, provided the knob is permanently
fastened by the manufacturer.
1-8-4:
Defensive players are permitted to wear a shield on their face/head protection in the field but
it must be constructed of a molded, rigid material that is clear and permits 100 percent (no tint)
allowable light transmission.
Rationale: In an effort to promote risk minimization, tinted eye shields are prohibited for defensive
face/head protection.
6-1-1 PENALTY, 6-1-2 Thru 4 PENALTY, 6-2-1 PENALTY, 6-2-7
PENALTY: in the case of an
illegal pitch, the batter is awarded a ball. The penalty that permitted base runners to be awarded one
base without liability to be put out is removed.
Rationale: The new language creates more balance between offense and defense. The batter
should receive the award rather than runners already on base.
2019 SOFTBALL MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-65-2: Clarifies there can be no appeal of the play that occurred prior to the umpire awarding an
intentional walk.
6-1-2a, b: Clarifies what motion constitutes the start of the pitch and when the step back of the non-
pivot foot may be taken.
APPENDIX H: An Appendix regarding DP/FLEX rules was added for quick reference
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