New softball rule: Coaches can use electronic devices in dugout

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

The National Federation of State High School Associations passed a rule at its June meeting in Indianapolis that will allow high school softball coaches to use electronic devices in the dugout for one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense.

The change will go into effect in the 2025 season.

To accommodate teams that want to use this communication, the NFHS also modified a rule that will allow earpieces, electronic bands and “smart” watches as long as the catcher does not utilize the device to return correspondence to the coaching staff.

“Prior to this change, team personnel could ‘record or transmit information pertaining to their players or team’s performance’ but could not communicate that information directly to players on the field during play,” the NFHS explained in a statement.

The coach may not use the device to communicate with any player other than the catcher or at any time while the team is on offense.

Violators of this rule are subject to ejection unless the umpire determines that the violation is “of a minor nature.”