Softball teams around the nation are going to have to break out more chalk if the Playing Rules Oversight Panel approves a recommendation by the NCAA Softball Rules Committee.

Next spring, the rules committee wants to see two nine-foot lines painted on the field, beginning within the outer edges of the pitching plate (rubber) that extend toward the inner edges of the batter’s boxes.

The new lines will clearly mark the pitcher’s lane that is already defined in the rulebook. If the change is approved, instead of an umpire making a judgment call as to whether a pitcher took too wide a stride while delivering the ball, it will be clearly defined.

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel will meet via conference call September 3 to consider the recommendation.

If the pitcher’s foot is completely outside the line on her stride, the pitch is illegal. If the batter does not reach first base safely and all other base runners safely advance at least one base, then the offensive team would have the option of taking the results of the play or having the effect of the illegal pitch enforced.

When the offensive team elects to have the result of the illegal pitch, a ball is called on the batter and any base runners advance one base.

“This has been on our radar for a while,” said Dee Abrahamson, NCAA secretary-rules editor for softball. “It will be a visual cue for the pitcher to know where she is allowed to step. It’s better for the umpire because he or she has a visual aid to help with the rule.”

The rules committee thought a modification of the rule was needed because pitchers can gain too much of an advantage the wider they are allowed to stride.

“When you throw a curveball or a screwball, the more you can get your hips out of the way the more spin you can get on the ball,” Abrahamson said. “We’ve always said you have to go forward within the imaginary lines. Now, we’re giving you a visual indication of where those lines are.”

Two other proposed rule changes have to do with safety issues.

 The first calls for any student-athlete coaching at first or third base to wear a helmet, which would make the NCAA rule consistent with both the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Amateur Softball Association playing rules. Adult coaches would not be required to wear helmets while coaching the base runners.

The committee also recommended a change to a rule involving a thrown bat on a backswing. On the first occurrence, the entire team would be warned. If another bat is thrown carelessly on a backswing by a player on the team that has received the warning, that player would be subject to ejection from the game.

Previously, each individual was allowed one warning and could be ejected on a second violation.

The committee believes the change will better protect the catcher and home-plate umpire, as well as the on-deck batter.