2025 High School Baseball Rules Changes

[@Jimmy-ul3si]

As always great instructional video.

[@cwj9202]

Thanks!

[@UmpireClassroom]

Thank you so much! This is converting over to a full time role hopefully and every bit helps making that transition. Thank you!!”

[@justinmartin9000]

I have one of Tim McClellands signed jerseys.

[@dperl5640]

This right here is a GREAT example of why coaches should know every rule and the specifics of each rule! Too many do not know the rules like they should. It is such an advantage. The pine tar rules demonstrate how a coach can utilize his knowledge to give his team an edge. Take this pine tar rule. You are an opposing coach and you see a batter approaching the box with a bat that clearly has pine tar past 18" from knob. If you don't know the exact rules and penalties you would most likely shoot out of the dugout and say "that is an illegal bat he cannot use it!" you would be right, the player would get a new bat and take his at bat. A smart coach would NOT say a word and HOPE the ump does not notice either. Allow that hitter to fully enter the batter's box THEN call T.O. and inform the ump! Now you get a free out and restrict the other coach! An even smarter coach let him have his at bat and wait to see the result! Maybe you turn a double play if the situation is possible? You are in a no lose situation if you let the batter hit! You can take the result OR after it is over get him called out and make all runners return!! Know your rules down to every specific, coaches!

[@UmpireClassroom]

It will be interesting to hear if coaches start looking for this rule to be enforced this year. I think for everyone, this brings it more top of mind. So it will likely get more attention in games which should be fun....

[@Say-hey24]

@@UmpireClassroomNFHS rules makers apparently don’t care that the rule turns umpires into buffoons. I refuse be a buffoon.

[@Say-hey24]

In the summer of 1983 Lee McPhail decided the archaic rule was draconian. 40 years later the clowns at NFHS decide they know better.

[@TraceSteffen]

I will be sitting down with our HC and explaining this rule to him. Then I will make sure each of our players gets it so WHEN (not if) a coach challenges one of our bats during the playoffs (because it won’t happen till then against any good programs), we won’t be on the losing side of it. The question is… if we call it out, and it’s clear… will the umps have the guts to make the call?

[@Say-hey24]

@ it’s umpire, skippy, not “ umps.” I’m not calling it. It’s an asinine rule.

[@ianspatz8234]

Another example of a needless difference between NFHS and OBR. I cannot see any reason for the difference as there isn't a safety issue involved or anything related to the level of play.

[@rayray4192]

Game was resumed 25 days later. Martin appealed Brett did not touch first base or second base. He also appealed U.L. Washington did not touch second base. Umpire Tim Welke signaled safe even though he was not at the game. Martin protested but the umpires had a notarized letter from American League president Lee McPhail declaring Brett touched all bases.

[@lanem4304]

Scenario - Batter comes up with illegal bat with R1, but nobody notices. Steps in box, first pitch, R1 steals 2B. 3rd pitch, R2 steals 3B. With a 3-2 count, the catcher notices the bat is illegal after retrieving for the batter after a foul, and informs the HPU. According to the rules, the batter is Out - but do we return the runner to the base they were at at the start of the at-bat? where does the runner go?

[@Rwl751]

Good question. Any action not directly caused by the illegal bat would stand.

[@wiggibr]

I interpret this as the illegal bat would have to be reported before the subsequent pitch to remove the runner that stole the base. So in your scenario we could return the runner to first if the illegal bat is reported prior to pitch number two or return him to second prior to pitch number four. If it’s reported after the sixth (or subsequent) pitch then he gets to stay at third.

[@williamslavik117]

When the batter comes to the plate the umpire should inspect the bat before use just so these situations don't happen.

[@Rwl751]

@ No, the umpire certainly should not. There's preventative umpiring, and then there's this idea. Trouble will find us easily enough without us having to go look for it.

[@lanem4304]

@ We already do this preliminarily at the plate meeting when we ask the question "Are all players legally and properly equipped?" and we require a verbal answer from each coach.

[@justinmartin9000]

What if you had an Illegal Bat and a BOO? 🤯

[@UmpireClassroom]

Oh man. That is going to be one longggggg case play 😅

[@justinbowling6382]

Penalty for Case Play #5 is not entirely correct. Upon discovery of an illegal bat, the defense has the option to take the penalty or result of the play. Regardless of what penalty the defense accepts, the bat is removed from the game and the head coach is restricted to the dugout out if it is the first instance of the use of an illegal bat. All subsequent uses of an illegal bat, the head coach or acting head coach is ejected from the game.

[@bobloblaw1180]

Pine tar rule- Typical NFHS rule difference. 🤦‍♂️Different from the other two sets for no reason and in fact, WORSE, completely ignoring common sense and fair play. See also: obstruction being a guaranteed next base, balks being a dead ball, and several others.

[@rayray4192]

If no advantage is gained why is it illegal? The pine tar discolors the ball, but the balls suck when they are new. Who cares?

[@UmpireClassroom]

In theory, I guess a substance could alter the spin? That said, if coaches decide to be jerks about it this year, I could see them changing it.

[@rayray4192]

Patrick, aren’t we talking about pine tar on a bat? If the pine tar is more than 18” above the handle it provides no advantage to the hitter. Are you saying the ball off the bat may be affected? I did not consider such a phenomenon.

[@bobloblaw1180]

​@@rayray4192Because such a phenomenon is such an absurd premise that the other two rule sets get the rule right and don't call the batter out. But somehow NFHS knows better than MLB and NCAA. 🤦‍♂️

[@ryanstarks916]

pin tar on the bat above 18 inches, who gets the advantage of the pin tar on the ball? rhetorical

[@bofa83]

Why would they need pine tar on a metal bat?

[@UmpireClassroom]

In theory, to improve grip.

[@bofa83]

@ I know why they would use it, practically, just seems weird to use on an aluminum bat.

[@dperl5640]

@@bofa83 Pro hitting instructor here. Pine tar dramatically improves ANY bat you are gripping. It works for metal the same as wood as it allows the hitter to NOT over grip the bat with his hands and still maintain great control. When a hitter grips the bat too tightly he dramatically decreases the amount of whipping action he can get with his wrists and hands. SO by using a substance that is sticky the hitter can use a much lighter grip more in the fingers and still maintain excellent grip of the bat. If you have noticed many pro players now use bat tape / grip just like you see on metal bats! This works the same as metal bats for grip and they also use pine tar as well. The bats material is irrelevant on whether pine tar is useful or not. Great question tho! Hope this helps and clarifies!

[@DavidFoster1967]

I feel like the BBCORE label requirement will be more of an issue here potentially.

[@UmpireClassroom]

was helpful for me! Thanks for sharing!

[@MauraPierce-q6n]

You’ve been umping too long