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BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS
Sports Editor, RTC
Baseball
The Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association has named Caston’s Joey Spin Class 1A Honorable Mention.
Spin was one of 15 Class 1A players statewide given this designation in addition to the 10 players named to the first team.
Southwood catcher Mo Lloyd and first baseman Alex Farr both made the first team, and Mason Yentes made honorable mention.
Southwood beat Caston 9-1 in the sectional semifinal May 29 and then went on to beat Pioneer 4-0 on May 31 in the sectional final.
Spin was the only RTC area player recognized.
NFHS adds rule forcing pitchers to pause: The National Federation of State High School Associations approved a rule that requires high school baseball pitchers who do not receive signals from the catcher to simulate taking a sign with one foot on the pitcher’s plate before proceeding with a pitch.
The Federation said that the pitcher leaning forward to receive a signal from the catcher is “fundamental to the pre-pitch phase of the game” as it indicates that the ball is about to be put in play.
The Federation said that by requiring pitchers to pause it also prevents “quick pitches” and catching opposing batters by surprise.
The NFHS also listed five points of emphasis for 2022: monitoring excessive celebration, wearing equipment as intended by manufacturers, safety of coaches sitting on buckets outside the bench/dugout area, umpiring procedures for a lodged ball and sportsmanship.
