Recent Athletics Site News & Updates

NCAA Rule Interpretation Update Affecting UIL Football Games

The NCAA has recently clarified the interpretation of the 10-second runoff rule in situations where an injury timeout occurs in the final seconds of the 2nd or 4th quarters. This update, approved by the CFO Board of Managers, is intended to close a potential loophole in the rule and ensure fair play.

**Key Update:**

• If a player is injured on a play where there is a temporary stoppage of the clock for a first down with 10 seconds or less remaining in the 2nd or 4th quarters, the opponent has the option of a 10-second runoff. The runoff can be avoided if the team takes a charged timeout.

This change aims to prevent teams from gaining an unfair clock advantage by feigning or exploiting injuries. The updated rule will be enforced in all UIL football games effective immediately.

Please ensure that your coaching staff and players are aware of this update, as it may have a significant impact on game strategy, especially in close end-of-game situations.

For more details, you can refer to the attached document HERE

UIL Protocols for Electronic Relay Judging Equipment - Swim & Dive

UIL Protocols for Electronic Relay Judging Equipment

The following protocols will be utilized for the 2024-25 UIL Swimming & Diving Season.

In all UIL championship meets in which electronic relay judging equipment is being utilized, a minimum of two (2), preferably four (4), relay takeoff judges must be assigned to observe relay exchanges.

1. An individual relay takeoff judge should be assigned to observe no more than four (4), preferably two (2) lanes.
2. Side takeoff judges should be positioned on the side of the pool nearest the lanes for which they have responsibility.
3. Lane takeoff judges should be positioned facing the side judge and adjacent to starting platforms for which they have responsibility, where they will have an unrestricted view of the incoming and outgoing touches and departures.
4. An alleged rules infraction, that is observed by any of the takeoff judges, shall be recorded immediately in writing. Each relay takeoff judge, who observes an alleged rules violation, shall wait until the last competitor of the heat is in the water before signaling an observed violation by raising a hand overhead, with open palm.  Both officials observing relay takeoff exchanges shall not be located next to each other on the side of the pool.
5. When the relay judging equipment records an exchange of 0.00 and beyond on the positive side, or from the manufacturer’s starting point, there shall not be an early relay takeoff violation charged unless there has been an observed contact with the starting block by a swimmer or team personnel at the block and observed by the official assigned to the lane.
6. Should the electronic relay judging equipment fail, it would take dual confirmation from officials to validate a DQ.

UIL State Softball Weather Update

(8:30 a.m.) 
 
Due to inclement weather, the 10:00 a.m. Conference 5A semifinal game between Lake Belton and Melissa has been postponed to 11:00 a.m. at UT Austin's Red & Charline McCombs Field.
 
The 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. games today will be moved to Georgetown East View High School (300 Patriot Way, Georgetown 78626) and are slated to begin on-time.
 
We will provide further updates as necessary.

2024-2026 Reclassification & Realignment Now Available!

The 2024-2026 Reclassification & Realignment is now available!

Alignments for all events can be found here.

Baseball Communication Device Approved

The use of a one-way communication device between a coach in the dugout and a team’s catcher for the purposes of calling pitches will be permitted in UIL high school baseball beginning this upcoming baseball season.  This change to Rules 1-6-2 and 3-2-5 was approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee.

2023-24 baseball rule changes can be found at, https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/baseball-rules-changes-2024/

Trackwrestling Update

NEW 2023-24 Season - Weekly recording of actual competition weight is required in Trackwrestling to measure compliance with the above rule. Wrestlers must have a Trackwrestling weigh-in for ALL competitions, two-day tournaments require only the initial day weigh-in. 

Drone Policy

Subject to local discretion, drones may be used in compliance with any local, homeland security, or FAA regulations / laws for practice purposes only.

Drones may not be used in association with any scrimmages, contests or games, other than as specifically allowed by the playing rules of the contest.

For football, according to NCAA Rules, drones are not allowed over the field or the team area when squad members are present within the playing enclosure. Outside the limit lines, game management (or conference policy) govern drone activity. This governance will include all federal, state, and local laws including campus policy where appropriate.

For UIL purposes, drones are not allowed to fly over the footprint of the stadium when team members, officials, bands, and other spirit groups are present.

NFHS Non-Compliant Softball Bat

USA Softball, the national governing body utilized by NFHS Softball to certify bats, has informed the NFHS that the Suncoast Model SBFPB-10 bat has been placed on the Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks. This bat is not compliant for use under NFHS softball rules, effective immediately. 

NFHS Non-Compliant Softball Bat

USA Softball, the certification body used by NFHS Softball to approve bats, has informed us that a bat has been placed into the market that bears the USA Certification mark, but has not completed the certification process. The manufacturer is Data Driven Athletics, and the bat model is PI 3.14159. 

Link to the USA Softball Non-Approved Bats with Certification Marks

Decertification of 33-inch Stinger Bat Missile II

Since the Missile II no longer has the BBCOR designation, effective immediately, this bat (33" length Stinger Bat Company Missile II aluminum bat) should be considered a non-compliant bat pursuant to NFHS Baseball Rules 1-3-2d and 7-4-1a.