Softball Advisory Committee

Minutes
Sept. 4, 2008 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


I. Introductions and Purpose

Mrs. Rohrer called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.  She welcomed committee members and attendees and notified member that the purpose of the meeting was to review the rules and regulation of softball and make recommendations to the Board of Directors as deemed necessary.  Meeting attendees are as follows:  Alan Wackes, Westminster Academy; Natalia Gonzalez, Mandarin; Candace Hicken, West Nassau; Mark Schusterman, Gulliver Prep (FACA Rep.); FHSAA Staff Members, Denarvise Thornton and Jamie Rohrer; FHSAA Interns, Colleen Healy and Brett Adams.  With only four committee members present, there was no quorum and no action items could be acted upon.

II. Review Procedures, Agenda and Expense Vouchers

Mrs. Rohrer reviewed the procedures of the meeting, the expense voucher and had committee member complete their expense vouchers.

III. Selection of Chairperson

Committee members present selected Mark Schusterman as the Chairperson.

IV. Review and Adoption of 2007 Committee Minutes

Mr. Schusterman reviewed the 2007 Committee Meeting Minutes and there were no questions or concerns.

V. Review of Existing Softball Manual

The softball manual was reviewed and Mrs. Rohrer noted that there would be a change to section 106.01 (3-5-1, 2, 3) to more clearly state the NFHS Softball Rules regarding coaching attire.  The NFHS Softball Rule Book states “jersey/coaching shirt” and the current FHSAA Softball Manual states “polo-style shirts”.  Many coaches are now purchasing lycra/wicking/moisture management coaching shirts, which are suitable under NFHS Softball Rules.  This causes great confusion between Florida coaches and officials, so this change will be made to clear up much confusion between the manual and the NFHS Rule Book.  Mrs. Rohrer reiterated that cotton t-shirts will still be prohibited.

VI. Review 2008 Softball State Championships

The Softball State Championships were reviewed and Mrs. Rohrer noted that Hillsborough County continues to do an excellent job in hosting the State Finals.  The facility is always great and the staff and volunteers who work the event do an excellent job.

The committee felt that the only item they would change with regard to the current structure is the amount of warm-up time that teams are given.  Committee members noted that the FHSAA and Hillsborough County may want to look at the warm-up times for the Baseball State Finals and more closely mirror that schedule.  However, the Committee is continuously pleased with the State Final experience at Plant City Stadium and the hospitality they receive from Hillsborough County.

VII. Review 2008-2009 NFHS Rules Changes:
a. 1-3-3:  Added to the softball specifications a requirement that the dynamic stiffness of softballs not exceed 7,500 lbs/inch when tested under current proposed ASTM test methods. Effective January 1, 2010.
Rationale: This standard will better control softballs and should bring more consistency to the softball marketplace without lowering the current static compression of 375 lbs/inch. Static compression and dynamic stiffness are completely different measurements, so these numbers should not be compared. The additional specification makes NFHS softball consistent with ASA.

b. 2-8-2:  Changed the definition of a bunt attempt to holding the bat in the strike zone and requiring the bat to be withdrawn in order to take a pitch.
Rationale: The new definition will make the bunt attempt easier for an umpire to determine and creates a better balance between offense and defense.

c. 6-1-4d and Note:  Changed the pitching windup requirement to a maximum of one and a half clockwise revolutions. Previous note was deleted.
Rationale: Pitchers are attempting to gain an advantage by deceiving the batter. The rules change will make an illegal pitch easier to identify and enforcement more consistent.

d. 6-2-3 Penalty:  Changed the penalty for a pitcher exceeding the required 20-second time limit to a ball awarded to the batter - not an illegal pitch.
Rationale: The rules change makes a violation of the time to pitch by the pitcher consistent with a batter failing to be ready within 10 seconds after the ball has been returned to the pitcher. An illegal pitch penalty is excessive as it also awards runners one additional base.

All rule changes were reviewed and no committee members had any questions or concerns.

VIII. Old Business

Condensing FHSAA State Finals to a 3-day format
Recommendation:  Condense the FHSAA softball finals to a 3-day format (Thursday-Saturday) instead of the current 6-day format.  This structure would combine a traditional tournament format with that of the current State Championship.

Discussion of Recommendation:  Condensing to a 3-day format may lessen the loss of time from school for athletes, coaches and student spectators and may possibly increase attendance due to a later schedule which encompasses the use of the auxiliary fields and doesn’t limit the contest to the stadium, except for the Championship games.  The thought is that more parents would be available to attend in this format being a Thursday – Saturday format rather than Monday – Saturday.

SAC 1st Reading:  Approved 6-0 [Motion: Wackes, Second: Ward]
ADAC 1st Reading:  Not Endorsed 10-0 [Motion: Sparkman, Second: Welch]
SAC 2nd Reading:  Discussion Only [No Quorum]

IX. New Business

43 feet pitching distance experiment – 4th Request for Experiment
Recommendation:  Apply for a fourth NFHS Experiment for the pitching distance in softball to remain at 43’. (FT)

Discussion of Recommendation:  The committee feels very strongly that the future of the game depends on the 43’ pitching distance.  In order to keep offense & defense on a level playing field and the safety of the game at the highest of standards, it is very important that the FHSAA move forward with the experiment if allowed.  After three years of experiment, the numerous surveys that Mrs. Rohrer has conducted of Coaches and Officials show an overwhelming positive response for the 43’.  Many coaches feel that it would be very difficult and detrimental to go back to the 40’ pitching distance after experimenting with it for three years now.

Mrs. Rohrer noted that she has spoken with Mary Struckhoff, NFHS Softball Director and Wanda Gilliland, Section 3 NFHS Softball Rules Committee Representative and they both favored the FHSAA continuing the experiment.  If granted the opportunity, Mrs. Rohrer will survey out-of-state schools coming to play in Florida during the 2008-2009 school year.

SAC 1st Reading:  Discussion Only [No Quorum]

X. FACA Recommendations

Mr. Schusterman did not have any FACA recommendations to present.

XI. Sportsmanship Update

Mr. Thornton briefly discussed some of the most prominent sportsmanship issues for all sports.  He noted that the number of ejections and unsporting conduct of coaches and players continues to increase.  He discussed with the committee that the coaches should try and focus more on relaying good sportsmanship messages to their student-athletes.  Committee members discussed good sportsmanship and proactive ideas that they are carrying out in their own counties and/or school districts.

XII. Round Table Discussion

The committee briefly discussed redistricting and Mr. McLaughlin asked committee members to complete a survey on ranking factors that greatly affect district assignments.  Mr. Thornton asked the committee to think about what the FHSAA could do to increase attendance at committee meetings, understanding with budget cuts and the cost of substitutes, we may need to come up with alternate plans to increase meeting attendance.

XIII. Adjournment

With no further business, Mr. Schusterman adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.