Softball Rules Committee proposes modification to video replay challenges

The NCAA Softball Rules Committee on Wednesday proposed modifying video review challenges regarding a runner leaving a base early on a pitch.

Committee members, who met this week in Indianapolis, think the recommendation is needed due to unintended consequences, such as challenges to whether a base runner left a base early on  home runs, which by rule would take the runs off the scoreboard.

All rule proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel before becoming official. The panel is scheduled to discuss softball rule recommendations later this summer.

Under the proposal, coaches could challenge whether a runner left early if it is called on the field by an umpire or if a runner successfully advances a base on the play. However, the video review challenge would not be allowed if any of the following occur:

• A home run. 
• Hit by pitch. 
• Ground rule double. 
• Foul ball.
• Lead off.
• When a runner is forced to advance due to:
  • A blocked ball base award. 
  • Base on balls.
  • Catcher obstruction with the batter. 

"The integrity of the game is one of the foremost priorities of this committee," said Trisha Senyo, committee chair and softball coach and associate athletics director at Whittier. "We want to make sure that the integrity stays within the intent of the rule. The tweak is necessary to keep pace of play, too. We want to continue the progress of growing the game."

Other rule proposals

• Allow umpires to initiate a video review, without requiring a coach's challenge, at any point in the game when a base is not properly covered by an umpire on a play.
• Change the penalty for a time-between-pitches violation by the pitcher or catcher to an illegal pitch.