There’s now a specific definition for “projected substitute” in the softball rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations.
The new requirement is spelled out in Rule 2-57, Article Four.
This may not sound like a very big deal, but it could have a big impact.
It could affect how high school coaches manage their softball games going forward.
(Courtesy of Edwin Rodriguez)
If a coach wants to substitute players, the coach is supposed to do it when those players are ready to become active.
On offense, that should be when the coach wants that specific player to bat.
On defense, it should be when the team takes the field when the other team comes up to bat.
But that’s not always how it’s worked during a game.
Some coaches would substitute a player, and inform the umpire of other substitutions they’re making for future at-bats.
Often the umpire would tell the coach to make each one at the appropriate time, but sometimes they would accept the group substitutions.
And that could cause problems, if the coaches made a mistake or changed their mind before the player was actually active in the game.
Those projected substitutes aren’t allowed, but since there wasn’t an actual definition in place for what constitutes one, there was some leeway and inconsistency in how the situations were handled.
Now there won’t be any confusion, because a projected substitute is now officially defined as “a player who does not immediately participate in the game.”
The NFHS expects this will eliminate any ambiguity regarding projected substitutes.
“There was confusion about the rule,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials education.
“We’re trying to emphasize that (projected substitutions) is an improper procedure, and so coaches need to be more diligent in reporting their substitutes on offense.”
The offensive side was emphasized because everyone is active at the same time on defense, making everyone an immediate participant in the game.
Making a rule change, or even adjusting a definition, is a three-step process at the NFHS. State associations make proposals to add or change something in the rules, and an 11-person rules committee considers the proposal. If it passes, it goes to an internal rules review committee. After that, the NFHS board has the final say. If the board approves it, the change goes into effect and is added to the rulebook.
It takes a lot of steps just to clarify a definition, but Land O’ Lakes High School softball coach Mitch Wilkins thinks it’s a good move, and believes coaches should already be adhering to the spirit of the rule.
“It makes more sense to be clear to always substitute when the player is actually entering the game,” Wilkins said. “Whatever the situation is, you don’t make the substitution until the time that she’s going in to play.”
Technicalities with regard to substitutions can have a real-world impact on games, Wilkins explained. Last season he had a situation where he forgot to substitute a player in, and she had already faced a pitch. He informed the officials and, after a conference, they called the player out due to an improper substitution.
There was just one problem. That’s not how the rule works.
“I made the announcement before the defense caught it,” he said. In that case, as long as the defense didn’t protest before he informed the umpire, he was allowed to make the substitution without penalty. Wilkins informed the officials of the proper application and, after another huddle, they reversed their decision, and the out didn’t count.
Any clarification that eliminates doubt is a good thing, Wilkins said. And he credits umpires for working hard to get their calls correct.
“The umpires really strive to do a good job, and the umpire associations pride themselves on having educated umpires that do things the right way, and I think that’s very important. Coaches really appreciate umpires that work hard and know the game, and do it the right way,” he said.
And with a clear definition regarding projected substitutes, the NFHS believes everyone, including the coaches, will have an easier time getting things right.
“We’re hoping that those who are guilty of projected substitutes now become more conscious of what they’re doing and will be more thoughtful about the process,” Wynn said.
Published July 22, 2015
