Publisher's Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations
is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set
aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response
to situations presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2008
SITUATION 1: With runners on first and second and no outs, the
batter bunts a slow roller down the third-base line. The third baseman, seeing
that he has no play on any of the runners, starts blowing on the ball from his
hands and knees, trying to make the ball go foul. The ball eventually rolls
into foul territory where it comes to rest. RULING: This is a
fair ball. The fielder is using artificial means to induce the ball to become
foul. As soon as a fielder blew on the ball, it would be judged to be the same
as if he had touched it. So, if the ball was on fair ground when he blew on it,
the ball is fair; if the ball was over foul ground when he blew on it, it would
be foul. (2-5-1, 2-16-1)
SITUATION 2: A sharp line drive is hit to the second
baseman. The impact of the ball takes the glove off the second baseman's hand,
and the glove lands on the ground with the ball still in the pocket of the
glove. The second baseman retrieves the glove and takes the ball out of the
pocket. Is this a catch or must the ball be thrown to first base in an attempt
to record the out? RULING: This is not a catch. To record the
out on the batter-runner, the second baseman would need to throw the ball to
first in an attempt to obtain the force out. A catch is an act of a fielder
gaining secure possession in his hand or glove of a live ball in flight and
firmly holding it. (2-9-1)
SITUATION 3: A fly ball hit deep to right field along the
foul line hits the right fielder on the head. The ball then bounces off his
head and, in flight, goes over the outfield fence, but does so on the foul side
of the foul pole. Is this a home run? RULING: No, this is a
ground-rule double. A home run is a fair ball that goes over a fence in flight
in fair territory. (8-3-4a)
SITUATION 4: With the bases loaded and two outs and a 3-2
count, the runners are off with the pitch. The pitch is ball four, but the
runner from first slides into second and his momentum carries him over and past
the base. The catcher makes a quick throw to second base and the tag is applied
for the third out before the runner from third trots home and touches the
plate. Does the run count? RULING: Yes, the run does count.
Each runner may, without liability to be put out, advance one base when he is
forced to vacate his position on the bases due to the batter being awarded a
base-on-balls. The runners advance past the bases to which they are entitled at
their own risk. All runners are awarded one base, and as long as all the bases are
touched appropriately, the run would count. (8-1-2a, 8-1-1c, Awards Table)
SITUATION 5: With runners on second and third, the batter
receives ball four on a pitch that bounces in the dirt. The ball caroms off the
catcher's shin guards and goes into the visiting team's dugout. What bases are
to be awarded? RULING: The batter is awarded first base due to
the base-on-balls, and the runners are awarded one base due to the pitch
entering a dead-ball area. At the end of the awards, the batter-runner will be
on first base, the runner from second will be on third, and the runner from
third will have scored. (8-1-2a, 8-1-1c, 8-3-3d)
SITUATION 6: While on the pitcher's plate in the windup
position, the pitcher has both hands at his side or both hands together in front
of his body. He brings his pitching hand to his mouth and then distinctly wipes
it off. RULING: This is an illegal pitch. Each runner on base
would be awarded one base. If the bases were empty, a ball would be awarded to
the batter. (6-1-2 Penalty)
SITUATION 7: While on the pitching plate in the stretch
position, the pitcher has the ball in his glove hand and his pitching hand is
at his side or has hands together in front of his body. He brings his pitching
hand to his mouth, distinctly wipes it off and returns it to his side. RULING:
This is an illegal pitch by the pitcher. A balk will be called if
there are runners on base. If the bases are empty, a ball will be awarded to
the batter. (6-1-3 Penalty)
SITUATION 8: While off the pitcher's plate, the pitcher
goes to his mouth with his pitching hand, distinctly wipes it off and then
legally engages the pitcher's plate. RULING: This is legal.
(6-1, 6-2-1e)
SITUATION 9: With (a) the bases empty, or (b) runners on
first base and second base, the pitcher goes to his mouth with his pitching
hand while off the pitcher's plate, but does not wipe it off. He next places
his pitching hand on the ball. RULING: In both (a) and (b),
while off the pitching plate, the pitcher may request to have a new ball from
the plate umpire with no penalty. If the pitcher, without having received a new
ball from the plate umpire subsequently engages the pitcher's plate, a ball
would be awarded to the batter. (6-2-1e Penalty)
SITUATION 10: The lineup submitted by the visiting team
does not have any substitutes listed. In the second inning, the visiting team
coach attempts to substitute for the center fielder. The coach of the home team
complains that there were no substitutes listed, this is illegal. RULING:
This is legal. While it is encouraged and a benefit to both teams to
have all substitutes listed on the line-up card, it is not mandatory. There is
no penalty. The umpire-in-chief will allow the substitution and notify the
opposing team and the official scorekeeper. (1-1-2, 10-2-3d, j)
SITUATION 11: Baker, who is not listed on the lineup card
as a starter or as a substitute, comes in to play left field but does not
report. When he comes to bat in the next half-inning, the opposing team argues
that since he was not listed on the lineup and that since he did not report, he
is an illegal substitute and cannot participate. RULING: There
is no penalty for not listing the substitutes and Baker may participate. As an
unreported substitute, the umpire-in-chief will enter him on his lineup card and
notify both teams and the official scorer. (1-1-2, 2-36-2, 3-1-1)
SITUATION 12: As the pitcher moves to attempt a pickoff at
first base, the first baseman drops his knee and entirely blocks the runner
from getting back to first base. RULING: This is obstruction.
A fielder who is not in possession of the ball must provide the runner access
to the base he is attempting to reach. The runner will be awarded second base
for the obstruction. (2-22-3, 8-3-2)
SITUATION 13: Without the ball in possession, the catcher
sets up in the base path, but does allow access to part of home plate. As the
ball and the runner converge at home simultaneously, the runner contacts the
catcher. RULING: As long as the umpire judges that the catcher
provided access to the plate for the runner, this is not obstruction. With the
play in motion and the timing such that it is about to occur, a fielder may be
in the base path without the ball, provided he allows the runner access to the
base or home plate. (2-22-3)
SITUATION 14: With a lazy, one-hop single to the right
fielder, the batter rounds first base with no intention or action of advancing
to second base. As he takes a few easy strides past first base, he contacts the
first baseman who is partially in his path. RULING: Since the
batter was making no attempt to advance to second base, the first baseman did
not hinder him or change the pattern of the play. As a result, obstruction
would not be called. Any benefit of the doubt would be given to the
batter-runner if there was a question in the covering umpire's mind. (3-22-1)
SITUATION 15: With the pregame conference ready to begin,
the home team head coach is in the bullpen and refuses to attend. He sends his
assistant coach and a captain to be present. The assistant coach provides his team's
lineup and verifies to the umpire-in-chief that his team is properly equipped.
RULING: The umpire-in-chief will accept the assistant coach's
verification and conclude all needed activity at the pregame conference. The
head coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game.
(3-2-4 Penalty, 4-1-3a)
SITUATION 16: With the game time at hand, the head coach of
the visiting team is caught in traffic and is not present at the field. The
assistant coach represents the team at the pregame conference. RULING: This
is permissible. When the head coach arrives at the game, he may resume normal
coaching activity. (3-2-4)
SITUATION 17: In the third inning, a substitute pitcher
comes to relieve the starting pitcher. After a couple of pitches have been
delivered, the umpire-in-chief notices that the reliever's glove has white on
it. RULING: The umpire shall have the pitcher remove the glove
and obtain a legal one before he continues to pitch. (1-3-6)
SITUATION 18: With runners on second and third, the pitcher
makes a great catch of a line drive hit back up the middle. The opposing coach
notices that his glove has a large manufacturer's logo that is white. He
complains to the umpire-in-chief. RULING: Upon discovery, the
glove used by the pitcher that includes the colors white and/or gray shall be
removed. The out stands and there are no subsequent base awards. (1-3-6)
SITUATION 19: The umpire-in-chief notices that the head
coach coaching at third base is not in the coach's box. The coach is not
gaining an advantage or causing any problems. RULING: There is
no violation. If the umpire believes that the coach was gaining an advantage
for his team, he would require the coach to be within the confines of the
coach's box. (3-2-1)
SITUATION 20: With the bases empty, the visiting team is at
bat and the assistant coach in the first base coach's box is wearing a dual
flap helmet while the head coach in the third base coach's box is wearing a
hard liner under his team cap. The home team coach complains to the umpire-in-chief
that both coaches must wear the same type of protective helmet in accordance
with MLB rules. RULING: The NFHS has not mandated that adult
coaches shall wear protective head gear while occupying a coach's box. It is
the prerogative of the respective coach to wear such protective equipment. The
NFHS is conducting research to determine if protective head gear should be
required and, if so, which type (hard liner, flapless, one-flap, dual flap)
would be most effective. However, it is mandatory that when occupying a coach's
box, a coach shall wear the team cap and that players/students wear a batting
helmet that meets the NOCSAE standard and has dual ear flaps. (3-2-1, 1-5-1,
1-4-1)