1-1-7, 2-22-4, Table 5-1, 5-1-1o: The media shall be prohibited from being in live-ball area. The home team or game management may designate an area for the media in dead ball territory.

Rationale: Clarifies that game management may designate a media area in dead-ball territory.

1-5-2a: The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or adjustable, but must be permanently fastened.

Rationale:  Clarifies that an adjustable knob is permissible, provided the knob is permanently fastened by the manufacturer.

1-8-4:  Defensive players are permitted to wear a shield on their face/head protection in the field but it must be constructed of a molded, rigid material that is clear and permits 100 percent (no tint) allowable light transmission.

Rationale: In an effort to promote risk minimization, tinted eye shields are prohibited for defensive face/head protection.

6-1-1 PENALTY, 6-1-2 Thru 4 PENALTY, 6-2-1 PENALTY, 6-2-7 PENALTY: in the case of an illegal pitch, the batter is awarded a ball. The penalty that permitted base runners to be awarded one base without liability to be put out is removed.

Rationale: The new language creates more balance between offense and defense. The batter should receive the award rather than runners already on base.

2019 SOFTBALL MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES

2-65-2: Clarifies there can be no appeal of the play that occurred prior to the umpire awarding an intentional walk.

6-1-2a, b: Clarifies what motion constitutes the start of the pitch and when the step back of the non-pivot foot may be taken.

APPENDIX H: An Appendix regarding DP/FLEX rules was added for quick reference.

2019 SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES

2-65-2, 3-5-1 NOTE, 5-1 Table, 5-1-1k, 6-2-5, 7-1-2 PENALTY 3, 8-2-4 PENALTY, 8-4-3, 10-1-1