Be the Referee: Non-Glare Helmets

May 7, 2015

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains why high-glare helmets are prohibited for softball and baseball.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment - Non-Glare Helmets - Listen

A new rule change this year in high school baseball and high school softball deals with helmets.

As many of us sat around over the holidays watching various college football bowl games, we saw what we often call the “Oregon Effect” – teams wearing a very shiny, high gloss helmet to try and catch a kid’s attention with the wow factor. 

In both baseball and softball, these high glare-high gloss helmets can be a safety issue, where the sun can reflect off a batter’s or baserunner’s helmet, or even a catcher’s helmet, which could create a safety issue for those kids playing defense. These high gloss helmets are no longer legal starting with this season.

Past editions
April 27 - Vern L. Norris Award - Listen
March 23 - Deciding the Game - Listen
March 16 - Block/Charge Call - Listen
March 9 - Dive on the Floor - Listen
March 2 - Primary Areas - Listen
Feb. 23 - Too Much TV - Listen
Feb. 16 - Video Clip Library - Listen
Feb. 9 - Cheer Safety - Listen
Feb. 2 - Basketball PA Announcers - Listen
Jan. 26 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen
Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact -
 Listen
Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen

Be the Referee: Softball Strikeout

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

April 11, 2023

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Softball Strikeout - Listen

It’s time for … You make the call.

With a 3-2 count, a softball hitter takes a swing at a pitch that comes in high and inside.

Her swing completely misses the pitch, but the ball subsequently hits her on the right shoulder during the follow-through of her swing. What should happen?

Is the batter awarded first base for being hit by a pitch?

Is a foul ball called, with the count remaining full and the at-bat continuing?

Or is the batter out on strikes, and the ball is dead?

What about any potential runners on base – would they be allowed to advance in this scenario?

A batter with two strikes who swings and misses and then is subsequently hit by the pitch is out.

Any runners on base must stay put as the ball is ruled immediately dead after it hits the batter.

If you said it’s a strikeout – you are correct. And since it’s also ruled a dead ball after the out, any runners on base are not allowed to advance.  

Any strike that also hits the batter is ruled a strike … and no base is awarded for being hit by the pitch.

Previous Editions:

March 14: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
March 7: Hockey Overtime - Listen
Feb. 28: Baker Bowling - Listen
Feb. 21: Ski Finish - Listen
Feb. 14: Swimming Touchpads - Listen
Feb. 7: In or Out-of-Bounds in Wrestling - Listen
Jan. 31: Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 24: Competitive Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 17: More Lines - Listen
Jan. 10: On the Line - Listen
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End ZoneListen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change
- Listen