[{"command":"settings","settings":{"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"responsive","theme_token":"I6lfuJcQ9dWP6w1Wb8rL0lmHEafya9IWxHQNXnqO29k"}},"merge":true},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":"#node-152","data":"\u003Carticle id=\u0022node-152\u0022 class=\u0022node node-article node-promoted clearfix\u0022 about=\u0022\/one-way-electronic-communications-allowed-for-pitchers-under-2027-high-school-softball-rules-changes\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:Item foaf:Document\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cheader\u003E\n\t                  \u003Ch2 class=\u0022title\u0022 \u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/one-way-electronic-communications-allowed-for-pitchers-under-2027-high-school-softball-rules-changes\u0022\u003EOne-way Electronic Communications Allowed for Pitchers Under 2027 High School Softball Rules Changes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n            \u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:title\u0022 content=\u0022One-way Electronic Communications Allowed for Pitchers Under 2027 High School Softball Rules Changes\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta element-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022sioc:num_replies\u0022 content=\u00220\u0022 datatype=\u0022xsd:integer\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta element-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E  \n              \u003Cspan class=\u0022submitted\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:date dc:created\u0022 content=\u00222026-07-09T18:00:00-04:00\u0022 datatype=\u0022xsd:dateTime\u0022 rel=\u0022sioc:has_creator\u0022\u003ESubmitted by \u003Cspan class=\u0022username\u0022 xml:lang=\u0022\u0022 about=\u0022\/user\/1\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:UserAccount\u0022 property=\u0022foaf:name\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Ebcua\u003C\/span\u003E on Thu, 07\/09\/2026 - 6:00pm\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n      \n          \u003C\/header\u003E\n  \n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022content node-article\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 property=\u0022content:encoded\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPitchers will now join catchers as the only players in high school softball permitted to receive one-way electronic communication from the dugout, effective with the 2027 season.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis change was one of four recommendations by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee during its June 14-16 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommendations were later approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDeliberations by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee were spirited and robust,\u201d said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee. \u201cApproval of these four rules proposals was the result of data collected form the membership, and specifically state association administrators. The committee is to be commended for its attention to detail, and thorough analysis of information available.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUpdated language now includes pitchers among the players permitted to receive one-way electronic communication from the dugout during games, allowing for faster delivery of information. The use of all other electronic devices to transmit or record information remains prohibited on the field of play, and players are still prohibited from transmitting or recording audio or video from the playing surface.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe committee also simplified language regarding whether a pitcher and catcher must face the first batter on defense in relation to courtesy runners. In its comments, the committee said the change eliminates the requirement \u2014 or perceived requirement \u2014 that the pitcher and catcher listed on the starting lineup card must face the first batter on defense.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPreviously, there was a misconception that the pitcher and catcher listed on the lineup card were always required to face the first batter (one pitch), which was never the intent of the rule,\u201d the committee noted. \u201cThis change simplifies the administration of the courtesy runner rule and eliminates a provision that applied only during the transition between the top and bottom halves of the first inning. By removing a unique scenario that applied only to the bottom of the first inning, the rule becomes easier for umpires, coaches, scorekeepers and players to administer and understand.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional changes allow state associations to determine umpire uniforms and clarify the definition of an initial play to better align with other areas of the rules book.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe committee was intentional in adopting changes that solve real issues encountered on high school softball fields,\u201d said Andi Osters, chair of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee and assistant director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association. \u201cWhether it\u2019s improving communication between coaches and players, clarifying how interference should be judged after a deflected batted ball, streamlining the courtesy runner rule, or allowing states greater flexibility with umpire uniforms, each change reflects feedback from the coaches and officials who administer our game every day. Our objective is always to make the rules as clear, consistent and practical as possible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C!--break--\u003EA complete listing of the softball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nfhs.org\u0022\u003Ewww.nfhs.org\u003C\/a\u003E. Click on \u201cSports\u201d at the top of the home page and select \u201cSoftball\u201d and then \u201cRules.\u201d The print version of the 2027 Softball Rules Book will be available for purchase in October at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.NFHS.com\u0022\u003Ewww.NFHS.com\u003C\/a\u003E, and the digital version will be available in October via NFHS Digital at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.NFHS.org.\u00a0\u0022\u003Ewww.NFHS.org.\u00a0\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the 2024-25 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, a total of 338,315 girls participated in fast-pitch softball at 15,726 schools across the country, making it the fifth-most popular girls sport.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-label\u0022\u003ETags:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/28\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Enfhs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item odd\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/38\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003ERules Changes\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/65\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003E2027\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n      \u003Cfooter\u003E\n      \u003Cul class=\u0022links inline\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022node-readless first last\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/more\/node\/152\/teaser\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022\u003ERead less\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E    \u003C\/footer\u003E\n  \n    \u003C\/article\u003E \u003C!-- \/.node --\u003E","settings":null},{"command":"invoke","selector":"#node-152","method":"addClass","arguments":["more-load node-teaser"]},{"command":"readmore_ajax","speed":"350"}]