Is one way communication to catchers approved for softball in NFHS

[Chilixa]

I can find where it was approved for baseball and someone told me it is ok for softball but I am having a hard time finding any update to that rule for softball. Does anyone know for sure if it is allowed now? It would seem odd it would be allowed for baseball and not softball.


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[Comp]

As far as I know it was baseball only. I am not aware of it being allowed in softball.

 

[Dabears17]

There is a mention of dugout receiving electronic communication from outside the dugout, but can’t find anything about communication with the catcher.

Softball Rules Changes - 2024

The NFHS is the national leader and advocate for high school athletics as well as fine and performing arts programs. Within our 51 member state associations, we serve 19,500 high schools and more than 12 million young people.

www.nfhs.org

 

[RADcatcher]

Hmmm seems there has always been communication to the catcher.
Simply now with the technology to be able to do it through a microphone and earpiece seems like would just be natural course of evolution.

What I would be considering more is how much added chatterboxing the coach might do chewing away at the catcher's ear...the unnecessary yada yada. rather than having to say something out loud which may have filtering because everyone would hear it.
directly to the catcher, without other ears hearing it, they may say more

 

[Rolling Hard]

Can imagine the catcher being frustrated listening to two coach argue about what pitch to throw next when she already knows the answer. Pitcher has to throw pitches every 20 seconds. I wish they would change that to 15 seconds and enforce the rule.

 

[Chilixa]

There is a mention of dugout receiving electronic communication from outside the dugout, but can’t find anything about communication with the catcher.

Softball Rules Changes - 2024

The NFHS is the national leader and advocate for high school athletics as well as fine and performing arts programs. Within our 51 member state associations, we serve 19,500 high schools and more than 12 million young people.

www.nfhs.org

That is what I could find also. Just surprised they would change baseball and possibly not softball.


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[Chilixa]

Hmmm seems there has always been communication to the catcher.
Simply now with the technology to be able to do it through a microphone and earpiece seems like would just be natural course of evolution.

What I would be considering more is how much added chatterboxing the coach might do chewing away at the catcher's ear...the unnecessary yada yada. rather than having to say something out loud which may have filtering because everyone would hear it.
directly to the catcher, without other ears hearing it, they may say more

For sure. I would think a device that requires you to push a button to talk to the catcher would be much more preferred. An open line to the catcher sounds like a recipe to drive a catcher insane.


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[RADcatcher]

Can imagine the catcher being frustrated listening to two coach argue about what pitch to throw next

Haahaaa lol
Catcher to coach~ 'Coach could you please hit the mute button in between your selections...'

Hey how about adding recording
so we can review the pitch calling sequence of events!!!
...ya know these moments...
what was called on that 0-2 count...

 

[The Man In Blue]

Not approved in NFHS softball. Though overseen by NFHS, baseball and softball are two different sports with two different rules committees. While it makes sense for them to synch up, they often do not.

The way the policy/rule is written in baseball (to address equity issues), will be a trainwreck.

 

[Northball]

Idyllic viewpoint, but I would like to see games coached a little more like on Ted Lasso. Coaches coach during practice, then on gameday just hang out on the sidelines in comfy chairs and primarily watch their players play.