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Dedicated to good sportsmanship and fair play.
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NFHS
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Softball
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ASA
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2008
NFHS Rules Changes & Interpretations
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2008
ASA NFHS Rules differences
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2008 ASA Rules Changes
Unapproved Bats
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NFHS
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2008 NFHS SOFTBALL RULES CHANGES
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3-2-11
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Players permitted to
wear metal cleats and metal toe plates.
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3-6-7
Penalty
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The head coach will now
be restricted to the dugout, in addition to the offender, when a
second unreported substitution occurs.
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7-3-1
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Requires the batter
to take her position in the batter's box within 10 seconds after the
ball is returned to the pitcher.
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2008 Major Editorial Changes
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1-5-4
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Clarifies that a
legal bat must meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear
either the 2000 or 2004 certification mark and not be on the ASA
non-approved list.
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1-6-7
New
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Adds that if an eye shield
is attached to the helmet, it must be constructed of a molded rigid
material that is clear and permits 100-percent (no tint) allowable
light transmission.
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2-5-3,
8-2-13
New,
8-6-15
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Clarifies when an on-deck
batter is subject to interference and the penalty associated with the
infraction.
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3-5-5
Penalty
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Adds a penalty when
offensive team personnel are near a base to which a runner is
advancing or returning.
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3-6-6 &
New Note
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Adds that bat/ball shaggers are permitted out of the dugout. Also
adds a new note to clarify that bench personnel are permitted to
engage in throwing and running activities during the one minute
designated for the pitcher to throw her five warm-up pitches at the
beginning of each half-inning.
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7-4-4
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Clarifies that the
batter is subject to interference if she makes any movement that
hinders the action at home plate after the pitch reaches the catcher.
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2008 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Pitching
2. Equipment
3. Use of proper NFHS softball signals
2008 MAJOR MECHANICS CHANGE
Umpires will once again
start from 18-21 feet behind first and third base when no runners are
on base. Therefore, with no runners on base, the base umpire(s) should
be positioned 18-21 feet behind the base, on the line and "walking
the line" as the pitch is released. This mechanic provides for a
smoother transition when the ball is hit and the umpire(s) must move to
the next position.
2008
NFHS Softball Rules Interpretations
Publisher's Note: The National Federation
of State High School Associations is the only source of official high
school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They
are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented. (Robert F. Kanaby,
Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2008)
Printing Errors and Corrections: "... batter must take her
position in the batter's box within 10 seconds after the ball is
returned to the pitcher in the circle." Delete last three words.
Correct in the following publications:
1. Rules Book, page 2 Summary, 7-3-1
2. Rules Book, page 83 and Case Book, page 4, "Comments on the
2008 Rules Revisions: Time Reduced for Batter to be in Box"
3. 2008 Preseason Guide, page 2, "Time Reduced for Batters"
article, end of first paragraph
SITUATION 1: During the pregame
inspection of equipment, the umpires notice that Team A's batting
helmets have the exterior NOCSAE warning label on (a) the underside of
the bill (b) the topside of the bill or (c) the outside back of the
helmet. RULING: Legal equipment in (a), (b) and (c). Provided the
warning label is legible and on the exterior of the helmet, it is
legal. Both the underside and topside of the bill are considered the
exterior of the helmet. (1-6-1)
SITUATION 2: R1 is on third base with no
outs. F1 delivers a wild pitch that goes to the screen. F2 goes to
retrieve the ball as R1 is advancing to home plate. F1 is covering home
for the tag play. R1 is safe and F1 begins to head back to the circle
with the ball. At what point does the count begin for F1 (20 seconds)
and B2 (10 seconds) since F1 already has the ball? RULING: The count
for both begins when the play is completed. In this case, when F1 turns
and heads back toward the pitching plate. (6-2-3;
7-3-1)
SITUATION 3: With no runners on base, the
ball is returned to F1 in front of and outside the 16-foot pitching
circle. F1 proceeds to walk around the outside of the circle loosening
up her arm and neck. After approximately 12 seconds, she takes a position
on the pitcher's plate and prepares to pitch. B1 has yet to take her
place in the batter's box. RULING: A strike shall be called on the
batter. COMMENT: The ball need only be returned to the pitcher, she
need not be in the circle. (6-2-3;
7-3-1 Penalty)
SITUATION 4: R1 is on second base with one
out. B3 hits a ground ball to F1. While advancing to third base, R1
slightly brushes F6, who is in the base path. F1 turns and throws out
R1 by 5 feet. RULING: As soon as the contact occurs between R1 and F6,
the base umpire signals delayed dead ball for obstruction. F6 cannot be
called out between the two bases in which she was obstructed. If the
umpire deemed that R1 would not have reached third base safely without
the obstruction, the umpire would put R1 back on second base and award
B3 first base. If the umpire deemed that the obstruction prevented R1
from reaching third base safely, R1 would be awarded third base and B3
would be awarded the base(s) she would have achieved had there been no
obstruction. (8-4-3b)
SITUATION 5: R1 is on second base with no
outs. B2 hits a blistering line drive toward F6, who is shifted toward
third base. F6 is able to put her glove on the ball, but it defects, in
flight, toward F5. F5 is unable to catch the ball in flight for the
out, but is able to knock it down. The ball lands at her feet; just as
she bends over to field the ball near third base, she and R1 collide.
RULING: The umpire signals delayed dead ball for obstruction and the
ball remains live. F5 is guilty of obstruction since she is no longer
considered to be making an initial play. When the ball becomes dead, R1
and B2 will be awarded the base(s) they would have achieved had there
been no obstruction. COMMENT: F5 was protected until the ball hit the
ground and she was unable to catch the deflected ball in flight. The
"step and reach" provision only applies to the defender
making the initial play. (2-47-3; 8-4-3b)
SITUATION 6: R1 is on first base with no
outs. B2 hits a (a) pop fly ball or (b) line drive to F4, who has moved
to make the catch in the base path of R1 as she advances toward second
base. The ball rebounds out of F4's glove and falls directly to the
ground between her feet. R1 bumps into F4 while trying to get to second
base. RULING: In (a) and (b), the ball is dead and R1 is out for
interference. B2 is awarded first base. F4 was in the process of making
an initial play since she was within a "step and reach" of
the spot of the initial play; it doesn't matter that F4 was attempting
to catch a pop up or a line drive. (2-47-3; 8-6-10)
SITUATION 7: No. 11 has been a courtesy
runner for the pitcher for several innings. In the seventh inning, the
pitcher gets a single; No. 11 again serves as a courtesy runner. When
No. 11 gets to third base, the coach wishes to replace No. 11 with a
substitute who has not yet participated in the game in any capacity.
RULING: A coach may remove the courtesy runner/pitcher for a
"pinch runner." In this case, the pitcher has left the game
and is subject to the substitution and re-entry rules. COMMENT: A
courtesy runner may NOT run for a courtesy runner. In addition, the
pitcher/catcher for which they are running may not come back in to run
after utilizing a courtesy runner (except for injury or
disqualification). (8-9)
During playing action in which the batter-runner is part of a force
play at first base, B1 is required to use the colored portion of the
base. (8-10-1)
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ASA 2008
Playing Rule Changes
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2008 ASA Rules Changes
There are several
important rules changes for this year, including new "Run
Ahead" margins. Click on the link below for complete details.
http://www.softball.org/umpires/rule_changes.asp
[Tips for Judging Interference]
In an effort to help
umpires become more uniform in judging interference throughout the country,
the ASA has addressed several rules relating to interference that
contained the word “intentional”. Specifically, the word
“intentional” has been removed from Rule 7, Section 7 Q;
Rule 8, Section 2 F [3]; Rule 8, Section 7 J [3]; and, Rule 8, Section
7 P. Umpires now need only to base their decision on whether
interference occurred or did not occur, and not the intentions of the
offensive player. Moreover, removing the word “intentional”
from these sections aligns these rules with the definition of
INTERFERENCE in Rule 1.
SITUATION 1: With no outs and R1 on 2B, B2
swings at and misses the pitch. R1 breaks for 3B and while F2 is
throwing to 3B in an attempt to retire R1, B2, while remaining in the
batter’s box, backs up to readjust their footing and bumps into
F2 causing an errant throw. RULING: B2 is guilty of interference.
The ball is dead, B2 is out and R1 must return to 2B. (Rule 7, Section
6 Q)
SITUATION 2: With one out, R1 on 3B and R2 on
1B, B4 has a 0-1 count and on the next pitch R2 attempts to steal 2B.
The throw is cut-off by F6 as R1 now attempts to steal home. F6’s throw
to home plate strikes B4 who is standing out of the box preventing F2
from catching the ball and applying a tag on R1. RULING: B4 is
guilty of interference. The ball is dead, B4 is out, R1 is returned to
3B and R2 is returned to 1B. (Rule 8, Section 2 F [3])
SITUATION 3: With no outs and R1 at 1B, B2
hits a ground ball to F6 who fields the ball and throws to F4 at 2B to
start a double play. F4 steps on 2B and throws the ball to F3 in an
attempt to retire B2. R1, knowing they are out, turns to go back to the
dugout where the ball strikes them in the back and ricochets into foul
ground. RULING: R1 is guilty of interference after being declared
out. In this case, because B2 is the only runner and therefore closest
to home plate, B2 is also be declared out. (Rule 8, Section 7 J [3])
SITUATION 4: With no outs, R1 at 3B and R2 at
2B, B3 hits a long shot to the outfield fence.
By the time F8 retrieves the ball R1 and R2 have scored. B4 is rounding
3B and coming home when R2 moves back to the home plate area to
instruct B3 to slide at home plate for a close play. In doing so, R2 is
hit with the thrown ball and it deflects away from F2 as B3 scores. RULING:
R2 is guilty of interference. Because R2 has already scored B3 is
declared out and only the runs scored by R1 and R2 count.
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ASA
Approved and
Unapproved Bats
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The official bat in ASA
Championship Play must meet all of the requirements of Rule 3, Section
1 and:
1. must bear
either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004
certification mark as shown below, and must not be listed on an ASA non
approved list, or
 
2. must be
included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National
Office; or
3. must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire,
have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with
the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.
Beginning January 1,
2004, all
bats in ASA Championship Play must pass the ASA 2004 bat standard. All
bats having the 2004 certification mark will be allowed in ASA
Championship Play. Bats that have the 2000 certification mark will not
be allowed in ASA Championship Play unless they are listed on an
approved bat list on the ASA website. For convenience, the ASA website
has a listing of bats that do not pass the ASA 2004 bat standard.
2004 and Beyond
Approved Bats
For a list of bats that have been tested and found to
comply with the ASA bat performance standards, and therefore are authorized
to bear the ASA
2004 certification mark and/or are authorized for use in ASA Championship Play
beginning January 1, 2004, please check the ASA web site: www.softball.org. Manufacturers
continue to submit additional bat models for testing, and the ASA will
update this list as test results become available.
ASA
Non-Approved Bat List
The list of non-approved bats is extensive and frequently being
updated. To see the most up-to-date list of
non-approved bats (with pictures) of go to: http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_w_pics.asp.
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2007 ASA/NFHS Rule Differences
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ASA Rule
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Ref.
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NFHS Rule
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Ref.
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To be a catch a fielder
must have both feet back in live ball territory or one in live ball
territory and one in the air
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1
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Must reestablish and have
both feet in live territory to be a catch
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5-1-1i(d)
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Pitcher's
plate Distance is 40' except in 18U Gold and Women's it is 43’
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2-1
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40’
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1-3
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Batters Box - Erasing the
lines carries no penalty in ASA
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After an occurrence a
team warning is issued and the next violation is a ball/strike and the
offender and coach restricted to the dugout.
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3-6-17
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Ball white or optic
yellow with ASA logo
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3-3A
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NFHS certification mark
white or yellow can be used
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1-3, 1-3-8
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Bat Standards - Must be on approved list or have ASA
Certification Mark, 2000/2004 or be manufactured before 2000 and in
umpire's judgment would comply
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3-1A
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Must meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, no
mention of an approval stamp
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1-5-4
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Bat - Safety knob distance to be .375 in.
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3-1 H, I
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Knob shall be securely fastened. Devices,
attachments or wrappings that cause handle to become flush with knob
are not permitted
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1-5-2
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Warm up - Only attachments listed on ASA Web site permitted
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3-2E
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All attachments used must be commercially
manufactured specifically for a softball bat, and securely fastened
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1-5-9
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Catchers mask - JO: must be worn with helmet that has
double ear flaps, body protector, and shin guards. Adult - Mask only.
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3-5A, C
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Same as ASA JO with NOCSAE approval stamp
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1-7-1
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Glove/mitt - may be worn by any defensive player
and must meet dimensional requirements.
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3-4
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Catcher can wear a glove or mitt of any dimension.
Defensive fielders can wear either a glove or mitt but meet the
dimensional requirements.
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1-4-3
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Pitcher's Glove - may be one
solid color or multicolor as long as one of the colors is not the
color of the ball used in the game played.
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3-4
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Any player's glove can be
a maximum of two colors not distracting. May not be gray, white or
optic yellow
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1-4-2
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Helmet - Must be NOCSAE approved with a NOCSAE
approved face mask/guard with visible NOCSAE stamp. Chin strip
required. No mention of color.
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3-5E
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No mention of color. NOCSAE label and warning label
must be visible. Face mask/guard must have NOCSAE label permanently
attached, "Meets NOCSAE Standards." Chin strap not required.
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1-6-6 & 8
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Player acting as coach must wear a helmet
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3-5E1
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Mandatory, if not worn issue warning, next offender
and head coach are restricted to the dugout.
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3-6-1
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Removing helmet intentionally when ball is live is
an out. Use discretion as to the intent of the rule concerning player
safety.
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3-5E
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If removed intentionally warning issued, next
offender and head coach restricted to the dugout.
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3-6-1
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Helmets worn by the defense must be like in color
to the defensive team's hats.
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3-5E
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Shall have a non-glare outer surface
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1-8-4
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Jewelry judged dangerous by umpire must be removed.
Religious or medical alert bracelets may be worn but must be taped to
the body.
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3-6F
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Players prohibited from wearing jewelry. 1st
offense a team warning and jewelry must be removed. Next offender and
head coach restricted to dug/out bench area.
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3-2-12
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Metal cleats - not allowed. Remove from
the game.
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3-6G
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Prohibited. Offender ejected on 1st
offense.
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3-2-11
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No rule on metal toe plate.
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no rule
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Metal toe plates are prohibited.
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3-2-11
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Teams may wear shorts and/or pants as long
as they are like in color. They may be mixed.
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3-6
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May wear shorts or pants but all players
on the same team must be attired in the same way. Mixing is not permitted.
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3-2-1
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Uniform numbers
- example 0 and 00 are not the same number. Players may not wear the
same number, whether in the game or not.
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3-6D
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0 and 00 or 03
and 3 are considered the same number
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3-2-2
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Prior to the start of the game, coach must
verify that players are properly equipped.
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