Team Insight

Cheerleading: One Headgear Change Highlights Cheer and Dance Rules In the apparel/accessories section, the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee approved a change in cheer and dance that allows participants to wear a head covering for religious reasons. The covering or wrap, which is not hard, abrasive or dangerous to other participants, must be approved by the respective state association. Lacrosse: Changes Seek To Improve Flow of the Game "The NFHS girls' lacrosse rules committee made several rules changes with the intent of minimizing risk and improving the administra- tion and flow of the game," reports Lindsey Atkinson of the NFHS. "The committees focuses on the balance between maintaining the integrity and funda- mentals of the game, while keeping up with the growing athleticism of the athletes and the pace of the sport. In the end, safety is always our biggest concern." In girls' lacrosse, Rule 2-7-3 will requires all headgear to be worn properly and securely affixed with the chinstrap in place as intended for use. And, Rule 2-9-2 adds the option of white bot- toms by the goalkeepers. In boys' lacrosse, a contrasting color between the head and the top glove must be visible on the shafts at faceoffs. The circumference of the shaft shall not exceed 3.5 inches. The can be accomplished with the original shaft color, paint, a single wrap of tape or other material. Beginning in 2022, the home team will be required to wear white jerseys, and the away team will be required to wear non-white jerseys. The official shall make certain that the reverse surfaces of the crosses match evenly in that the top of one head lines up with the throat of the other and are perpendicular to the ground. Track and Field: Simplification of Uniform Rule Continues Further simplification of the uniform rule in track and field, and clarification on the method of determining the order of finish in cross- country highlight 2019 rules changes in those two high school sports. In Rule 4-3-1, the interpretation of a founda- tion garment was expanded to include any item worn under the uniform top and/or bottom. The rule now states that "any visible garment worn underneath the uniform top and/or bottom is considered a foundation garment. A founda- tion garment is not subject to logo/trademark/ reference or color restrictions." In addition, Rule 4-3-2 was rewritten to allow schools more options in meeting the uniform rule. The rule now states that "all relay and cross- country team members must wear uniforms clearly indicating, through predominant color, school logo and color combination of all outer garments worn as a uniform, that members are from the same team." "It has become increasingly more difficult to officiate the uniform rule given the increase in the number of programs nationwide that are allowing individual team members the option of independently purchasing either all or part of their team uniform," says Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Track and Field/Cross-Country Rules Committee. "Slight differences in design of uniform do not negatively impact the identification of a relay or cross-country team. The expectation of this rule is that all relay and cross-country team members can be clearly identified as representing the same school." The revised 4-3-2 note states that "the official shall have no uncertainty in determining that all members are from the same team." In cross-country, regardless of the system used to determine the places of runners, the order of finish should be based on when the torso of the runner crosses the finish line. Changes in Rule 8-3 state that whether hand timing, transponder/chip or image-based timing systems are used, the torso is the determining factor in order of finish. Baseball: NFHS Extends Implementation Date for New Baseball Standard The NFHS has extended the implementation date of the new NOCSAE standard for NFHS baseballs to January 1, 2020. Initially, that date of implementation was January 1, 2019. This decision will benefit high school teams, schools, local youth baseball leagues and NFHS baseball licensees, as the baseball industry will be able to make an efficient and effective transition to the new standard. The NFHS has also approved the elimination of the requirement (Rule 6-1-3) for the entire pivot foot to be in contact with the pitcher's plate, beginning with the 2018–19 high school baseball season. "We are very fortunate that the state of high school baseball is in an excellent position, which is indicative of the few rules changes that were passed," says Hopkins, who is NFHS director of sports and student services and staff liaison for baseball. According to Hopkins, the rationale behind the change to Rule 6–1–3 is a result of the difficulty for pitchers to consistently make contact with the pitcher's plate when pivoting. Before starting the delivery, the pitcher shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher's plate and with the pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of and parallel to the pitcher's plate. "The committee concluded that many pitch- ing mounds are such that it is problematic for a pitcher to have his entire pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate," Hopkins said. "Therefore, no advantage is gained by having some of the pivot foot not in direct contact with the pitcher's plate." Softball: NFHS Equipment Rules Address Risk Minimization Rule 1-8-4 permits an eye shield to be worn attached to the face/head protection, only if it is constructed of a molded, rigid material that is clear and permits 100 percent (no tint) allow- able light transmission. This change aligns with other softball equipment rules that currently prohibit tinted eye shields. "The prohibition of tinted eye shields already exists in Rules 1-6-7 and 1-7-1," explains Sandy Searcy, of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee. "In an effort to promote risk minimization, tinted eye shields should be prohibited for defensive face/head protection." Among other rules changes was a clarification to Rule 1-5-2a, which permits a softball bat to have an adjustable knob, provided the knob is permanently fastened by the manufacturer. Any devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the knob to become flush with the handle are also permitted. n 24 Team Insight / September 2018 teaminsightmag.com TEAM RULES

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