A recent rule change from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has produced mixed views from current and former Owensville Dutchmen baseball coaches.

As of last Thursday, the NFHS baseball rules committee approved a rule change that would allow the use of a one-way communication device between a coach in the dugout and a team’s catcher for the purpose of calling pitches in high school baseball beginning in the spring of 2024.

Current Dutchmen head baseball coach Steven Kemp brought up good points on those for and against the rule change.

“If used correctly, it can speed up the game,” Kemp said. “However, it takes away from the catcher’s development.”

Former Owensville High School Athletic Director and current high school baseball umpire Ryan Okenfuss offered viewpoints from an umpire’s perspective.

“As an umpire, if it cuts down on time to relay signals between pitches, I’m ok with it,” Okenfuss said.

Okenfuss also addressed the possible expense association with the rule change.

“I don’t think that is a major problem,” Okenfuss said. “Most pitch signals are simple and it takes longer for the third-base coach to give traditional signals than it does for the defensive coach to call a pitch. I don’t think it will impact pace of play at all. In my opinion, it is an expense that will do little if nothing to improve the game.”

Former Dutchmen head and assistant baseball coach Casey Fisher also looked at it from the old and new school perspective.

“I guess if the technology is available, then why not use it?” Fisher said. “It will be an advantage for more financially stable teams I would assume. I also think your old school coaches will just keep doing what they do.”

Looking at it from the old school perspective, former Dutchmen head baseball coach Mark ‘Pete’ Jett offered his opinion on the rule change.

“They don’t need that technology expense at the high school level,” Jett said. “It’s easy enough for coaches to relay their signs to the catcher.”