High school softball coaches will be permitted to use electronic devices in the dugout for one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense starting in the 2025 season. This significant change stems from the NFHS Softball Rules Committee’s annual meeting held June 9-11 at The Alexander hotel in Indianapolis, and has been approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
“This change is the result of analysis of current data, state association experimentation and a positive response from the membership,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee. Searcy noted that the rule is permissive, offering an additional option for coaches who wish to use emerging technology for communication while maintaining traditional methods for those who prefer them.
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The rule change introduces new language to the NFHS Softball Rules Book, specifically Rule 1-8-6. Devices such as earpieces, electronic bands, and smart watches are now permitted, provided the player does not use the device to communicate back to the coaching staff. Previously, teams could record or transmit information, but direct communication with players on the field was not allowed.
The penalty from Rule 3-6-11, which involves ejection for violations unless deemed minor, has been incorporated into Rule 1-8-6. Warnings may be issued for minor offenses, with ejection following repeated violations.
Additionally, Rule 3-6-11 has been updated to prohibit coaches from using the one-way communication device to communicate with any other team member while on defense or with any team member while on offense. Coaches are also restricted from using the device outside the dugout or bench area.
The second change for the 2025 season involves Rule 9-3-2b, which aligns scoring and record-keeping details with the enforcement in Rule 8-6-11, addressing the runner’s actions and associated penalties.
A complete list of the softball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website. For more information, visit NFHS and navigate to “Activities & Sports” and select “Softball.”
According to the NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 344,952 girls in 15,406 high schools played fast-pitch softball in 2022-23, making it the fifth-most popular girls’ sport, with an additional 6,058 girls participating in slow-pitch softball.
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