GENERAL SOFTBALL INFORMATION

  1.  SEASON DATES:

February 23................................................................................................................. Practice Starts

March 16................................................................................................................ First Contest Date

May 20............................................................................................... 6A, 5A, 4A, 2A/1A Cutoff Date

May 22............................................................................................. 6A, 5A, 4A, 2A/1A First Rounds

May 23........................................................................................................................ 3A Cutoff Date

May 26............................................................. 6A, 5A, 4A, 2A/1A Second Rounds; 3A First Round

May 29...................................................................................................................... All Quarterfinals

June 2........................................................................................................................... All Semifinals

June 5............................................................................................. 3A, 2A/1A State Championships

June 6............................................................................................ 6A, 5A, 4A State Championships

  2.  STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION:

a.     Athletic Directors, Coaches and Spectators – Detailed information regarding the 2009 Softball State Championships will be posted on the OSAA website (www.osaa.org/softball) on Wednesday, April 29.  It is essential that participating teams and individuals access this information prior to the state championships.  Included will be information regarding ticket prices, parking, maps, how to submit souvenir program information, souvenir merchandise, etc.

b.    Event Management Information – Beginning Wednesday, April 29, schools that host state championship games must download Event Management Information from the OSAA website (www.osaa.org/softball).  Included will be information regarding expenses, admission policies, game management & ticket report, ticket booth signs, PA script, etc.

  3.  STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

a.     FIRST ROUND – SEMIFINALS – Refer to brackets for locations and home team designation.

b.    FINALS – 3A, 2A/1A finals will be held on Friday, June 5 and 6A, 5A, 4A finals will be held on Saturday, June 6 at Oregon State University.  OSAA will determine times for all finals.

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR  97331-4501

541-737-1000

            4.  QUALIFICATION FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS:

a.     6A

1)     PIL – Three teams.

2)     Metro – Four teams.

3)     Mt. Hood – Five teams.

4)     Three Rivers – Four teams.

5)     Pacific – Four teams.

6)     Southwest – Four teams.

7)     Central Valley – Four teams.

b.    5A

1)     PIL – Two teams.

2)     Northwest Oregon – Four teams.

3)     Mid-Willamette – Four teams.

4)     Midwestern – Three teams.

5)     Southern Sky – Three teams.

6)     Intermountain – Four teams.

c.     4A

1)     Cowapa – Three teams.

2)     Capital – Three teams.

3)     Far West – Three teams.

4)     Val-Co – Two teams.

5)     Sky-Em – Three teams.

6)     Skyline – Three teams.

7)     Greater Oregon – Three teams.

d.    3A

1)     Lewis & Clark – Three teams.

2)     West Valley – Three teams.

3)     PacWest – Three teams.

4)     Sunset Six – Four teams.

5)     Eastern Oregon – Three teams.

e.     2A/1A -- Six Special Districts with three teams per league.  For the list of 2A/1A Softball Special Districts, go to http://www.osaa.org/softball/softballdistricts.asp.

  5.  STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS -- TEAM SIZE – Replacement of players applies to each game.  A player replaced on the roster may be reinstated to the roster in subsequent rounds.  Maximum in uniform: 6A – 20; all other classifications – 18.  This policy applies for all games, first round through championship finals.

  6.  OFFICIAL BALL ADOPTION – The Wilson A9016 B-SST (cork/cor.47) optic yellow with red stitch is the officially adopted softball of the OSAA.  Schools are encouraged to use Wilson softballs during regular season play.  Due to contractual obligation the OSAA will mandate use of these balls for all state championship games, first round through finals. The OSAA will ship three (3) Wilson softballs to the host school for each State Championship game prior to the finals.  It is the host school’s responsibility to use official Wilson softballs for games at home sites. 

  7.  AWARDS

a.     Trophies – Trophies will be presented to the champion and second place team in each classification.  A trophy will also be sent to each semifinal team.

b.    Medals – Twenty-one medals will be presented to the champion and second place teams in each classification.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

2009 SOFTBALL RULES

Order a 2009 NFHS Softball Rules Book at www.osaa.org/forms/0809rulesbookorderform.xls or contact OSAA at 503.682.6722 for more information.

For more information about NFHS softball rules visit www.nfhs.org/rules-softball.htm

  1.  2009 NFHS RULES REVISIONS:

  2.  POINTS OF EMPHASIS

·      Pitching

·      Obstruction/Interference

·      DP/FLEX

OSAA SOFTBALL POLICIES

1.  OSAA ADOPTED RULES AND INTERPRETATIONS – The NFHS 2009 Softball Rules Book will be used.

2.  PARTICIPATION LIMITATIONS – (OSAA Handbook, Participation Limitations)

a.     Team – A school team shall not compete in more than 26 games at each level of competition, exclusive of varsity district playoffs and state championships.

b.    Individual – A student shall not participate in more than 26 games, exclusive of the varsity district playoffs and state championships.  A student may participate in only one jamboree.

If a student participates in no more than 7 innings on one day (i.e. 4 innings junior varsity, 3 innings varsity), the student is charged with participation in one game.  For every additional 7 innings played, or portion thereof, the student is charged with an additional game of participation.

A game that goes into extra innings is considered an extension of the 7^th inning and only counts as one inning played.

c.     Jamboree – A school may participate in only one jamboree at each level of competition, and it shall not be counted as a contest.  Jamborees may be held only on the first playing date and for 30 days thereafter.  A jamboree is limited to not more than six innings (three or more teams) and limited to not more than two innings against any school and with each pitcher limited to not more than two innings.

  3.  INTERRUPTED CONTESTS – (OSAA Handbook, Interrupted Contests) Following is the policy concerning interrupted athletic contests.  NOTE:  For state championship final games, the OSAA office shall take jurisdiction and make any decisions rather than the schools involved.

a.     For darkness and/or weather:

1)     If fewer than 4 and 1/2 or 5 innings have been played, the game shall be replayed in its entirety.

2)     If 4 and1/2 (home team ahead) or 5 innings have been played and the score is not tied, the contest is declared an official game.

3)     If play has gone beyond five full innings, teams have had an equal number of completed turns at bat and the score is tied, the game is declared no contest and must be completely replayed.

4)     If play has gone beyond five full innings and is called when the teams have not had an equal number of completed turns at bat, the score shall be the same as it was at the end of the last completed inning, unless the home team in its half of the incomplete inning, scores a run (or runs) which equals or exceeds the opponent’s score, in which case, the final score shall be recorded when the game is called.  If the score was tied at the end of the last completed inning, the game is declared no contest and must be completely replayed.

5)     If the two schools mutually agree or if there is an athletic district policy, the game need not be replayed if it has no bearing on state championship representation.

                                                                                                                                                 (Fall 2008)

b.    For other reasons, among which include light failure, sprinkler system, etc., the contest shall continue from the point of interruption unless the teams mutually agree otherwise or there are athletic district rules that apply.

  4.  CONTESTS – SPORTSMANSHIP – CROWD CONTROL – (OSAA Handbook, Rules)

a.     Sportsmanship Responsibility – The high school principal, coach and other responsible officials of each member school shall take all reasonable measures to insure that the school's students and supporters maintain a sportsmanlike attitude toward all events so that events may be conducted without unreasonable danger or disorder.  When a petition is filed alleging violation of this Rule 3-2, the Executive Director may, at his/her discretion and with concurrence of any two Executive Board members, postpone any pending event which the Executive Director has reason to believe cannot be conducted without an unreasonable danger of disorder.  All such protests shall be referred to the Executive Board, which shall proceed as provided in Rule 4.  In addition to any other action the Executive Board may take regarding a protest alleging a violation of this Rule 3-2, the Executive Board shall have the power to cancel or re-schedule the event involved, or to impose conditions on conducting it.

b.    Sportsmanship Violations / Penalties – When the students, staff or supporters of any member school engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, disorder or infliction of damage to persons or property in connection with any festival, meet, contest or tournament sponsored by this Association, the Executive Board may treat such acts as a violation by the school of the Rules of the Association.  Any school whose students, supporters, rooters or partisans take part in riots, fights, pilfering, painting or any other unsportsmanlike conduct shall be subject to penalty.

  5.  SPECTATOR CONDUCT AT OSAA EVENTS: (OSAA Handbook, Rules)

In addition to the general expectations included in the OSAA Constitution, Rule 3, that school officials“…shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that the school’s students and supporters maintain a sportsmanlike attitude toward all events…” the following specific expectations regarding spectator conduct at all OSAA sanctioned events, including regular and post season competition, are provided:                                                                                                                    (Revised Fall 2008)

a.     Spectators are not permitted to have signs or banners (larger than 8 ½ by 11 inches), confetti, balloons or glass containers.  Spectators are required to wear shirts.

b.    Spectators are not permitted to have artificial noisemakers.  Some examples of artificial noisemakers are Thunder Stix, cowbells, clappers and air horns.

c.     Spectators shall not be permitted to use vulgar/offensive or racially/culturally insensitive language.  Spectators shall not be permitted to engage in any racially / culturally insensitive action.                                                   (Revised Fall 2008)

d.    All cheers, comments and actions shall be in direct support of one’s team.  No cheers, comments or actions shall be directed at one’s opponent or at contest officials.  Some examples of inappropriate conduct or actions that are not permitted are: turning backs, holding up newspapers or jeering at cheerleaders during opposing team introductions; disrespecting players by name, number or position; negative cheers or chants; throwing objects on the floor.                                                                                                           (Revised Fall 2008)

e.     Spectators who fail to comply with Association or site management spectator conduct expectations may be expelled from the contest.                                                                                 (Revised Fall 2008)

  6.  GUIDELINES FOR LIGHTNING SAFETY – (Excerpts from NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook)

a.     Recognition

Weather can be monitored using the following methods:

Monitor Weather Patterns – Be aware of potential thunderstorms by monitoring local weather forecasts the day before and the morning of the practice or competition, and by scanning the sky for signs of potential thunderstorms.

Flash to Bang – This method is used to assess how far away lightning is striking.  It is determined by counting the number of seconds it takes to hear a clap of thunder after witnessing a flash of lightning.  The number of seconds is then divided by five to get the distance, in miles to the lightning flash.  Generally, a 30-second or less flash to bang count suggests removal of the athletes from the field to a safe shelter.

National Weather Service (NWS) – Weather can also be monitored using small, portable weather radios from the NWS.  The NWS uses a system of severe storm watches and warnings.  A watch indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area; a warning indicates severe weather has been reported in an area and for everyone to take proper precautions.

b.    Management

Evacuation – If  lightning  is  imminent  or a  thunderstorm  is  approaching,  all  personnel,  athletes  and spectators should evacuate to available safe structures or shelters.   A list of the closest safe structures should be announce and displayed on placards at all athletic venues.

Thirty-minute rule – Once lightning has been recognized, it is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard.  Given the average rates of thunderstorm travel, the storm should move 10-12 miles away from the area.  This significantly reduces the risk of local lightning flashes.  Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock and another count should begin.

c.     Prevention

In order to prevent lightning related injuries, it is important to formulate and implement a proactive, comprehensive lightning emergency plan.  The plan should include:

·         Advance Planning

·         A systematic approach for monitoring local weather conditions

·         Education of staff to recognize sign of nearby lightning activity

·         Criteria for suspension and resumption of play

·         Evacuation plan including nearby safe shelters

·         Periodic review and practice of the plan by appropriate high school personnel

  7.  OSAA SOFTBALL PITCHING LIMITATION – There is no softball pitching limitation.

  8.  OSAA SOFTBALL GAME RULES – The 2009 National Federation Softball Rules will govern all play.  REMINDER: the following are in effect:

a.     1-2-1 Note use of a double first base is permitted but not required.

b.    1-2-3 43’ Softball Pitching Distance – NFHS Experiment

All OSAA softball teams, varsity and sub-varsity levels, will use the 43’ pitching distance for all OSAA sanctioned contests, regular and post season play.

c.     1-3 All softballs must have the following three items labeled on the ball:

1)     Coefficient of Restitution (COR) (COR shall be .47 max)

2)     Compression (compression shall be 375 lbs. max)

3)     NFHS Authenticating Mark

Softballs that do not have ALL THREE markings can not be used in games.

If the home team does not provide a legal ball the visiting team will be asked.  If a legal ball can not be located the home team will forfeit the game.  Please be sure you have legal game balls for play at all levels, varsity and subvarsity.

d.    NFHS softball rules require that all bats meet the ASA bat performance standard.  Go to www.asasoftball.com to find the list of non-approved bats.

e.     3-2 regarding uniforms and player equipment shall be enforced.  Each school shall provide proper uniforms and equipment for all of its team members.

f.     4-2-3 Note regarding a game ending after 4 1/2 or 5 innings if one team is ahead by at least 10 runs will be in effect for all State Playoff games.

g.    Player limit is 20 for 6A; 18 for all other classifications in uniform for all State Championship games, first round through finals.

  9.  EJECTION POLICY

a.     BP 22 – Ejection Policies – Coach Ejected; Contest Forfeited

If a coach is ejected from a contest and that contest is forfeited, such incident must be reported to the OSAA office by the schools involved and also by the contest officials.  If a coach is ejected and the game is not forfeited, it is the school’s responsibility to be certain that any such person who does assume the coaching responsibilities in such a situation meets the requirements of that school district.

b.    BP 23 – Ejection Policies – Ejected Player or Coach

1)     If a player or coach is ejected by an official for an unsportsmanlike act, both the athletic director of the school of the ejected player/coach and the commissioner of officials shall notify the OSAA by facsimile of the ejection by the next workday.  Ejected coaches must leave the contest immediately and shall not be allowed further contact with team members for the duration of that contest.  It shall be the responsibility of the school to disallow the ejected player or coach from participating during the period of suspension specified in the Regulations, regardless of whether written notification has been received by the school from the commissioner of officials.  Should an ejected player participate or an ejected coach remain within “sight and sound” of the team during the period of suspension specified in the Regulations, and no appeal is pending, that action shall be considered use of an ineligible participant and shall result in forfeiture of that contest and other penalties as determined by the Board.                                                                              (Revised Fall 2005)

2)     Appeal Process – If the principal or the Athletic Director of the ejected coach/player and the commissioner of officials agree that the suspension should be set aside, the principal may appeal to the Executive Director within 48 hours of the ejection to set aside the next game suspension portion of the penalty.  If the Executive Director denies an appeal, that denial may be appealed to the Executive Board, which shall hear the appeal at its earliest convenience and issue a final ruling.  Implementation of the next game suspension may be postponed during the time that an appeal is pending.                                                     (Fall 1998)  (Revised Fall 2002)

7.  Q.  When a coach or player is ejected, what period of time does the ejection cover?

                 A.  Baseball / Softball – Remainder of that day.                                        (Revised Spring 2006)

            8.  Q.  When does the period of suspension begin?

     A.  The suspension is served after the ejection has been served.  The ejection and suspension      may not be served simultaneously.

9.  Q.  Once a player or coach has served a period of ejection, when and over what period of time is             a suspension served?

     A.  Baseball / Softball – Sit out through next contest at that level.

    NOTE:  In unusual circumstances, the Executive Director may modify the period of suspension.

c.     BP 24 – Ejection Policies – Fines

1)     Schools shall be assessed fines for ejections within specific sports programs.  Each sport (i.e., Football, Boys Basketball, Softball) shall be tracked as separate and distinct for the purpose of calculating fines.  When the first participant or coach in a sport is ejected, the school that the participant or coach is representing shall be assessed a $50 fine by the Executive Board.  A second ejection in the same sport during the same season shall result in the assessment of a $100 fine, and each ejection thereafter in that sport during that season shall result in a fine to be increased by $50 increments for each ejection without limitation.

2)     All funds accumulated by the Association as a result of ejection fines shall be used to conduct Citizenship through Sports training workshops throughout the state.  Training shall be offered on the October in-service day and at other times as announced by the OSAA.

3)      A school receiving five or more ejections during one school year shall be required to submit a written Plan of Correction to the Executive Board including a Citizenship through Sports training workshop and timelines for implementation of the Plan.                                                                  (Fall 2000)  (Revised Fall 2002)

d.    BP 25 – Ejection Policies – Multiple Ejections of Individual

A second ejection for an unsportsmanlike act during the same sport season will result in a two-game suspension.  A third ejection for an unsportsmanlike act during the same sport season will result in disqualification from further participation in that sport during that sport season.                                                             (Fall 1999)

e.     BP 26 – Ejection Policies – Physical Contact with Official

Physical contact between a coach/player and an official shall be considered a gross act of unsportsmanlike conduct.  The offending coach/player shall be immediately ejected from the contest, shall be suspended as provided in the Regulations and may be required to satisfy other requirements as prescribed by the Board.  Both the athletic director of the school of the offending coach/player and the commissioner of officials shall notify the OSAA by facsimile of the incident by the next workday.  In addition, the school shall be fined up to $1,000 as set by the Board, and an administrator and the coach/player shall be required to appear before the Executive Board at the next scheduled meeting.                                                                                                                          (Fall 1998)