Points of Emphasis 2015 I. II. III. Helmets: No cracks/NO tape: There may be No tape inside or outside any helmets. Pitching Changes: Coaches need to speed up pitching changes. When coach arrives on the mound, give change to umpire, talk quickly to players, leave the mound, then pitcher warms up. Umpires are instructed to keep this process moving. Post-Game Ejections: Any player/coach who once the game ends commits any act that would have resulted in an ejection during the game may be issued a post-game ejection. Penalty: must sit out the next scheduled regular season/playoff game. Enforce until umpires leave game site. I. II. Past rule revisions: 2014 Pitcher Stretch: Pivot foot parallel, on or in front of rubber. Free foot entirely in front of rubber. Penalty: Illegal pitch or balk. Neoprene sleeve: It must be covered and both sleeves still need to be the same length. Penalty: It cannot be worn and it is the UMPIRES job to take care of business before pitcher warms up. MPA Baseball Bulletin 2015 Baseball Season March 23, 2015 *Eight Pitchers/Two Catchers Start (same 10 People) *The purpose of the additional week for pitchers and catchers is for conditioning and development of the pitchers’ arms. When Lightning is observed or thunder is heard in the vicinity of a contest conducted outdoors, play should be suspended. II. Throughout the season, helmets must be worn during warm-up (batting practice) prior to all contests. (This is a major liability issue) III. Coaches must wear a helmet to be on the field. A suspended coach may not be present at the game site. MPA BASEBALL State Interpreter/Coach Clinic 2015 Play shall not be resumed until 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or clap of thunder. Bona Fide Team Rule A member of a school team is a student athlete who is regularly present for and actively participates in team practices and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are prevented from missing high school practice or competition to compete or practice elsewhere. Rules MPA has adopted the rule, which terminates a game when a team, after five and one-half innings is ten runs ahead in baseball for J.V. or 9th grade games. This rule may NOT be waived for J.V. or 9th grade games. At the varsity level, games will be terminated at 4 ½ innings or 5 innings depending on who is ahead by ten runs during the regular season; however, coaches have the option to waive the ten-run rule by mutual consent during the pre-game meeting. NOTE: THE THE-RUN RULE IS IN EFFECT DURING REGIONAL AND STATE TOURNAMENT COMPETITION. A pitcher who pitches in both games of a double header, regardless if it is against the same team or two different teams, shall not pitch more than three innings per game. State Interpreter-Dan Deshaies ddeshaies@auburnschl.edu Cell Phone #: 576-5835 The pitching rule applies to the entire season; pre-season, exhibition, tournament, and all other games. I. It is mandatory that each home baseball team have an “L” shaped screen for both teams to use. Home Phone #: 926-510