1. Pitcher stopping his motion once he has started to pitch.
Rule 6 Sec. 1 Art. 2 The pitcher is limited to not more than two pumps or rotations. After the pitcher starts the movement to pitch, the pitcher must continue the motion without interruption or alteration.
2. Pitcher's foot is the set position and then the pitcher switches, during the pitching motion, into the wind-up position.
This is a Balk.
Rule 6 Sec. 1 Art. 3 In order to change to the wind-up position, the pitcher must first step clearly backward off the pitcher's plate with the pivot foot first.
3. Fielder intentionally dropping a Fly/Pop Fly Ball. Batter is out and runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
Rule 5 Sec.1 Art. 1 The ball becomes dead immediately when….
j. an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly, fair line drive or fair bunt in flight with at least first base occupied and with less than two outs. EXCEPTION: Infield-fly rule. (2-19).
4. A base runner, did not pass, but assisted another runner.
Rule 3 Sec. 2 Art. 2 No coach shall physically assist a runner during playing action.
Rule 8 Sec. 4 Art. 2m A base runner is out if he passes an unobstructed preceding runner before such runner is out (including awarded bases).
There is no rule against a runner assisting another runner.
5. Base runner missed second base and was beyond a succeeding base when the ball was thrown into the dugout.
Rule 5 Sec. 2 Art. 2 b 1. A runner who is on or beyond a succeeding base when the ball became dead, or advances and touches a succeeding base after the ball became dead, may not return and shall be called out upon proper and successful appeal.
6. A base hit was allowed while a balk was called.
Rule 5 Sec. 1 Art. 1 k Ball becomes dead immediately when a balk or an illegal pitch is committed.
7. A baseball is left outside of the first base dugout. Batter hits the ball to the shortstop. The shortstops' throw gets by the first baseman. The runner at second advances to third base. The first baseman runs towards the ball and picks up the wrong ball.
Rule 1 Sec 3 Art. 7 ... Loose equipment, such as gloves, bats, helmets or catcher's gear, of either team may not be on or near the field.
PENALTY: If loose equipment interferes with play, the umpire may call an out- (s), award bases or return runners, based on the umpire's judgment and the circumstances concerning the play.
If loose equipment by the team on offense interferes with the play, runners return to the base occupied at the time of the infraction and an out may be called.
If loose equipment by the team on defense interferes with the play, runners are awarded a base or bases as per the umpires judgment.
8. Dugouts chirping, jockeying, unsportsmanlike chants with coaches chirping at each other also. That's got to be stopped immediately. The sooner you stop it, the less problems you're going to have during the game, especially when the coaches are involved.
Rule 2 - Sec. 3 Art. 1f 1-7
PENALTY: The umpire shall warn the offender unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case an ejection shall occur. A warning may be verbal or written.
9. Runners on third and first, pitcher steps to third and feints to first. Legal
Rule case # 6-1-5
10. Fielder has the ball in his bare hand. He applies the tag on the runner and his glove falls off his hand. The ball is still securely held in his bare hand. This is an out.
Rule 2 Sec. 24. Art. 4
A tag out is the put out of a runner, including the batter-runner, who is not in contact with the base when touched with a live ball, or with the glove or hand when the live ball is held securely therein by a fielder.
11. Pitcher steps off the pitchers plate and throws wildly to first sending the ball into the dugout or dead ball area.
This is two base award. Once the pitcher stepped off the plate, he became a fielder. If his pivot foot would have stayed on the rubber, he would still be considered a pitcher and it would have been a one base award.
Rule case # 6-1-5
12. Runner from third attempts to steal home and is hit by the pitch. Coach wanted interference called on the runner.
Rule 8 Sec. 3 Art. 1a
Dead Ball. Run scores. Other runners are awarded one base.
13. When a coach, who is on offense, calls time to talk to his batter and runners, it's a charged offensive time out. Only one offensive timeout is allowed per half inning. The defensive coach can visit his pitcher during the offensive timeout, without penalty, provided he doesn't delay the game once the defensive timeout is concluded.
Rule 3 Sec. 4 Art. 5
When either team has a charged conference, the other team may also have a conference, which is not charged, provided the conference concludes when the opposing team 's charged conference concludes, so that the game is not further delayed.
14. Proper umpire mechanics on a dropped third strike?
15. A batter must make an attempt to not get hit by a pitch.
Rule 7 Sec. 3 Art. 4
A batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch the batter's person.
PENALTY: The batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike) unless pitch was a third strike or ball four.
16. Line-drive hits the second base bag, bounces up and is caught by the shortstop.
Rule 1 Sec. Art. 2 A batted ball that hits a base is considered to have touched the ground and should be played on as a ground ball.
17. Batter hits a ground ball to the 3rd baseman. The throw to first is thrown into a dead ball area so the batter runner is awarded second base. As the batter runner reaches second base, he removes his helmet and yells at his dugout to fire the team up. The team had already received a team warning for a player removing his helmet during playing action.
Rule 1 Sec. 1 Art. 1
Case 1-5-1B Ruling: There is NO penalty or warning when a player removes his helmet in fair territory while the ball is dead. If the ball would have been live, then the player would be ejected because of the previous team warning.
18. Runner at first has a big lead. Pitcher attempts to pick him off at first. As the runner dives back to first, he is obstructed by the first baseman and is tagged out. This runner should have been awarded second base.
Rule 8 Sec. 3 Art. 2 When a runner is obstructed while advancing or returning to a base, the umpire shall award the obstructed runner a minimum of one base beyond the runner's position on base when the obstruction occurred.
19. Runners on first and second, no outs. Infield Fly ball hits the runner that is standing on second base. The runner is NOT out, only the batter because of the Infield Fly Rule.
Rule 4 Sec. 4 Art. 2 k-1 If a runner is touching the base when the runner is hit by an INFIELD FLY, the runner is NOT OUT, but the batter is out by the infield fly rule. The ball is dead, even in the exception.
20. While or during an at bat, it is legal for the batter to wear his sliding hand protector on his back pocket. If the pitch happens to hit the hand protector, the batter would be awarded first base. The batter was not allowed to go to first base. No one argued or question it.
This was talked about at the state meeting and was acknowledged by our state rules interpreter, Kyle McNeely. After talking to Kyle this morning, This is what he said:
"There is no rules reference number to that ruling. The hand protector or batting gloves sticking out of the back pocket are considered part of the uniform. However, if a batter is hit by pitch on the back pocket that is sticking out of his pants, he shall not be awarded first base under the loose garment rule.”
Rule 8 Sec. 1 Art. 1 d2
If a batter's loose garment, such as a shirt that is not worn properly, is touched by a pitched ball, the batter is not entitled to first base.
21. The pitcher determines his pitching stance, Wind-up or Set Position, by the positioning of his PIVOT FOOT.
If his pivot foot is NOT parallel to the pitchers plate, he is in the Wind-up Position. If his pivot foot is parallel to the pitchers plate, then he would be in the Set Position.
When assuming the Set Position, the pitcher shall have his pivot foot in contact with or directly in front and parallel to the pitchers plate.
When assuming the Wind-up position, the pitcher has no restrictions as to how his pivot shall be positioned on the pitchers plate.
Rule 6 Sec.1 Art. 2 and 3
22. Runner at first base, 1 out. Batter has a 1-1 count. Batter swings and misses at the pitch. The catcher doesn't catch the ball. The ball ends up close to the batters feet. The catcher makes no attempt to get the ball. The batter bends over and picks up the ball to give it to the catcher as the runner at first takes off to second. This is batter interference. The ball became dead as soon as the batter touched the ball. Batter is out and runner is returned to first base.
Rule 7 Sec. 3 Art. 5c A batter shall not make any other movement, including follow-through interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher's attempt to play on a runner.
23. Runners at first and second. The batter hits a double. Both runners score. The throw home gets by the catcher. The batter runner tries to advance to third. As the catcher hustles to get the bad throw, the on deck batter interferes with the catchers attempt to field the ball. This is interference by the on deck batter. In the umpires judgement, the catcher would have thrown out the batter runner advancing to third.
Rule 8 Sec. 4 Art 2g The runner's being put out is prevented by an illegal act by anyone connected with the team, and in the judgment of the umpire, another runner could have been put out, the umpire shall declare that runner out. If the umpire is uncertain who would have been played on, the runner closest to home shall be called out.
24. Definition of a catch: A fielder must show possession, voluntary transfer or change of direction.
Runner at first. The batter hits a fly ball to center field. The runner at first is running to second base. The centerfielder catches the ball, he then reaches for the ball with his non-glove hand in an attempt to throw out the runner that's headed back to first base. The ball drops to the ground.
Based on the umpires judgment, this was correctly ruled a catch.
Rule 2 Sec. 9 Art. 1
25. Coach wanted to use a starter that had previously been removed from the field, as a courtesy runner. This was correctly denied by the umpires. Had this been allowed. The illegal substitution rule would have had to been applied.
Courtesy Runner: 4. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
Rule 3 Sec. 1 Art. 1 An illegal sub on offense shall be called out and restricted to the bench.
26. Time limit on sub varsity games. Situations 1. Batter does not want to get in the batter box because the pitcher is not on the pitchers plate. 20 seconds go by for both the batter and the pitcher.
By rule, the BATTER has to get in the box first before the pitcher gets on the pitchers plate. In this case, the batter should have been penalized with a penalty strike.
Rule 7 Case Situation 7.3.1.C
27. The offensive coach calls time to talk to his batter. The defensive coach takes this opportunity to talk to his pitcher. After the offensive conference was concluded, the defensive coach is still talking to his pitcher. The defensive coach states that because the offensive coach called time, he can talk to his pitcher and not be charged for a conference.
The defensive coach is right about being allowed to talk to his pitcher, but wrong about not being charged for a defensive conference.
Rule 3 Sec.4 Art. 5 When either team has a charged conference, the other team may also have a conference, which is not charged, provided the conference concludes when the opposing team's charged conference concludes, so that the game is not further delayed.
28. Teams are allowed 3 charged conferences during a 7-inning game. After the third charged conference, the pitcher must be removed as a pitcher. If a coach wants to use one, two or all three charged conferences in the same half inning, he can do so with no penalty. There is no charged conference if a pitcher is removed. Conferences are only charged when a pitcher is not removed from the mound.
Rule 3 Sec. 4 Art. 1 Prior to accumulating three charged conferences in seven innings or less, a conference is not charged if the pitcher is removed as pitcher.
29. Runners at first and third, one out. Runner at first attempts a steal of second. The batter interferes with the throw to second. The throw to second base does not get the runner out. The runner at third attempts to score. The shortstop's throw to the plate is in time to throw out the runner from third that was trying to score. Runner at third and first were correctly sent back to their bas occupied at the time of the pitch.
Batter is out.
Batter interference is a delayed dead ball situation.
Case Book 5.1.2c
Rule 7 Sec. 3 Art. 5
30. Home teams allowed to use their batting cage for batting practice during a game. This is allowed as long as the visiting team is allowed to use it as well.
31. Picture of an umpire standing in the infield with his arms crossed. Cameras are everywhere, Stay focused, no matter the score or the caliber of game.
32. Runners on first and third. Pitcher feints to third. This is a legal move provided the pitcher steps towards third base.
Case Book 6.2.4cF1 must step toward third base when feinting there. F1 may not feint to first base without stepping of the pitchers plate. He must step toward the base and throw.
33. Coaches are not in agreement of the ground rules set by the home coach. The umpires shall set the ground rules in accordance to the rules.
Rule 4 Sec. 1 Art. 2 If the teams cannot agree, the umpires shall formulate ground rules. Ground rules do not supersede a rules book rule. All special rules shall be announced.
34. The score has gotten out of hand (18-0) and a coach wants to end the game before the 5th inning.
Rule 4 Sec. 2 Art. 4 and Sec. 4 Art. 1 b. This is allowed if both coaches agree in accordance to their district rules. If one or both coaches want to end the game early, and this is not in their district plans, the game will become a forfeited game making the score 7-0.
35. Runner at first base. Slow ground ball hit to the second baseman. The runner from first is running to second base. The runner runs behind the second baseman who is fielding the batted ball. The second baseman reaches back to try and tag the runner but misses him. The runner is safe at second and the batter is safe at first. The coach wants the runner at second called out because he ran outside his running lane.
Rule 8 Sec. 4 Art. 2-a-1 This is not an infraction if a fielder attempting to field a batted ball is in the runner's proper path and if the runner runs behind the fielder to avoid interfering with the fielder.
Note:
On a batted ball, the fielder has the right of way, meaning the runner must try to avoid or run around the fielder.
On a thrown ball, the runner has the right of way, meaning the fielder shall not be in the runners lane without the ball.
36. One out, runner at first base. Runner attempts a steal of second. The batter swings and misses for strike three and interferes with the catchers throw to second base. The ball sails into center field. Batter interference is a delayed dead ball. As soon as the ball goes into center field, the ball should be called dead. The batter is out because of the strike out and because of the umpires judgement, the runner could not have been out on the throw, so he was sent back to first.
Rule 7 Sec. 3 Art. 5 Penalty. If the pitch is a third strike and in the umpire's judgment interference prevents a possible double play (additional outs), two may be ruled out. A second out is NOT automatic.
37. Runners on second and first. The batter hits a deep fly ball to right field that is caught. At the time of the catch, the runner from second is past third base and the runner from first is past second base. Both runners start running back. The right fielder throws to first base in an attempt to throw out the runner. The ball ends up in the first base dugout. The runner from second is between second and third and the runner from first is between first and second when the ball goes dead. The coach immediately appeals the runners leaving early. In this case, neither runner should be called out after reaching their base.Rule 8 Sec. 2 Art. 6 c If the ball has gone out of play, runners must be given the opportunity to complete their base-running responsibilities before the dead-ball appeal can be made.
38. On a bat flip, the penalty is:
Rule 3 Sec. 3 Art. 1 C and L
C. Carelessly throwing a bat, the umpire shall issue a warning to the team involved.
L. Deliberately throwing a bat, the umpire shall eject the offender.
39. Runner at second and a runner at third, one out. Batter hits the ball to the shortstop. The shortstop throws to first to retire the batter. The runner at second takes off to third, but the runner at third does not advance home. Both runners are tagged while standing on the base. The runner advancing from second should be called out.
Rule 8 Sec. 2 Art. 8 a If two runners are on the same base, at the same time and both are tagged, the following runner is declared out. On a force play situation, the runner who is forced to advance shall be declared out when tagged on the base or the base to which the runner is forced is touched by a fielder while in possession of the ball.
40. There is no NFHS Rule regarding defensive shifts. Defensive shifts or outfielders being brought in as an extra infielder are allowed.
41. Timing Play. Runner at second base, two outs. The batter hits the ball to left center field. The runner from second runs home. The pitcher runs between third and home in order to back up the catcher on a possible throw to the plate. The runner from second sees the pitcher running in front of him and hesitates in order to not collide with him. The batter is thrown out at second base just before the runner scores.
Rule 9 Sec. 1 Art. 1
NOTES: 1. If a fielder illegally obstructs a runner and is responsible for failure of that runner to reach home plate, the umpire has authority to award home plate to that runner.
42. All of the players on a team are wearing a red jersey except for one, he is wearing a white jersey. Also, on the same team, there are two players wearing the same number. This is illegal. This rule applies to both varsity and sub varsity teams.Rule 1 Sec. 4 Art 1 & 3
Art. 1... Uniforms of all team members should be of the same color and style.
Art. 3... Each player shall be numbered on the back of the shirt with a plain number of solid color contrasting with the color of the shirt. This number shall be a plain Arabic style and shall be at least eight inches high, and no players on the same team shall wear identical numbers.
43. Infield fly rule in effect. Runners on first and second. Batter pops up to second base. The ball is dropped by the second baseman. Runners try to advance to third and second. The second baseman picks up the ball and steps on second base. The umpire mistakenly calls the runner out. The runner advancing from second to third ends up scoring. The umpires get together and correctly overturn the out at second and allow the run to score.
Rule 2 Sec 19 The batter is automatically out, so the runners are not forced to advance. They advance at their own risk and must be tagged in order to be out.
44. The designated hitter is batting for the right fielder. In the 5th inning, the DH gets a base hit. The right fielder pinch runs for the DH. The role of the DH is terminated but the DH can still enter the game. If he enters the game, he must enter for the right fielder and in the same spot in the lineup.
Rule 3 Sec. 1 Art. 4 A designated hitter and the player for whom the designated hitter is batting are locked into the batting order.
45. Check Swing appeals.
46. Umpire Mechanics. Batter swings at a pitch. The batted ball goes straight down to the batters feet and maybe it hit the batter and maybe it did not hit the batter. The plate umpire signals fair. The batter starts running to first as soon as he hit the ball. On the throw, U1 calls the batter out at first base. The offensive coach wants the PU to ask for help because he believes the batted ball struck the batter and it should have been a dead ball. Both umpires get together and based on what U1 saw, the call was reversed to a foul ball/dead ball.
In this situation, if U1 saw that the ball hit the batter, U1 should have killed the play immediately and signaled dead ball. The defensive coach was in the right by stating, "If he saw the ball hit the batter, why didn't he kill the play immediately!"
47. Umpire Mechanics. Runners on first and second, one out. Batter hits a deep high fly ball towards the left field foul line. Both runners tag and advance to third and second. The defense appeals the runner from first leaving early. On the appeal, U1 and the PU look at each other.
Proper mechanics: On a fly ball that is hit towards the left field foul line, it is the PU responsibility to move up the third base line and rule on a catch no catch or fair or foul ball. With runners on first and second, it is U1 responsibility to watch the tag of the runner at first and at second. U1 must do his or her best to get into position (working area) to watch both runners tag properly.
48. Umpire Mechanics. Batter hits a grounder to short. The shortstop throws the ball over the first baseman head, the ball goes near the dugout entrance. The batter runner tries to advance to second base but is thrown out by the catcher who was backing up the play at first base. The PU started running towards second when he saw the ball go past the first baseman because U1 was still in the dirt area behind first base. Neither U1 nor the PU stayed to see if the ball actually went into the dugout.
Proper mechanics: U1 should have started running into the infield grass as soon as the ball went over the first baseman head. The PU responsibility is to stay with the overthrown ball.
49. A rosin bag is brought onto the field by the pitcher of Team A. After the half inning is over, the pitcher takes his rosin bag to the dugout. The rosin bag must stay on the mound throughout the game.
Rule 1 Sec. 5
Art. 8 The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, allow an otherwise illegal piece of equipment, create risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.
Art. 10 Any questions regarding legality of a player's equipment shall be resolved by the umpire-in-chief.
50. Umpire in position C. Hard hit ball hit in the direction of the umpire. As the umpire moves out of the way, his indicator falls off his hand. The batted ball hits the indicator. The batted ball is fielded by the shortstop and a double play is turned by the infielders. The offensive coach wants a dead ball called because of the batted ball hitting the umpires indicator.
Ruling: The ball remains live. Had the indicator been on the umpires hand, this would have resulted in a dead ball situation.
51. Batter hits a pop-up flyball near the first base dugout. As the first baseman runs over to catch the ball, someone in the dugout yells,
"I got it!". The first baseman hesitates and does not catch the ball.
Rule 2 Sec. 21 Art. 1a
Offensive interference is an act (physical or verbal) by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. This is an immediate dead ball. Batter is out. Other runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
52. As the pitcher starts to deliver the pitch, someone in the opposing dugout yells "BALL or BALK or STEP OFF!"
This is a delayed dead ball. If the offender is unidentified, he shall be ejected immediately with no warning. If unable to identify the offender, a warning shall be given to the coach and the next offender ( anyone in the dugout ) shall be ejected.
Rule 5 Sec. 1 Art. 2d ...any personnel connected with the offensive team calls "Time" or uses any other command or commits any act for the purpose of trying to cause the opposing pitcher to balk;
PENALTY: The umpire shall eject the offender from the game.
53. Umpire Mechanics. Runners on first and second, fly ball to right field with less than two outs.
U1 has tag responsibilities on R1 and R2 and moves to the working area to rule on all plays in the infield.
PU moves up the first base line to rule catch or no catch and retreats to home plate.
54. Batter squares for a bunt attempt. The batter makes no attempt at the pitch but leaves the bat over the plate.
Ruling: This is not an automatic strike. Just because the bat is over the plate does not mean that it is a strike. The batter must make an attempt to bunt the ball in order for it to be called a strike. However, if the pitch is in the strike zone, it shall be called a strike on the pitch.
Rule 7 Case 7.2.1 Situation B: In bunting, any movement of the bat toward the ball when the ball is over or near the plate area, is a strike. The mere holding of the bat in the strike zone is not an attempt to bunt.
55. Runner on base. The pitcher is not engaged with the pitcher's plate nor is he straddling the pitcher's plate but he is on the mound without the ball. The defense initiates the hidden ball trick. This is a Balk.
Rule 6 Sec. 2 Art. 5 It is also a balk if a runner or runners are on base and the pitcher, while the pitcher is not touching the pitcher's plate, makes any movement naturally associated with the pitch, or the pitcher places the feet on or astride the pitcher's plate, or takes a position within approximately 5 feet of the pitcher's plate without having the ball.
Under NFHS Baseball Rules, the hidden ball trick must meet this guideline: If the pitcher, without the ball, is within 5 feet of the rubber, (roughly the outline of the dirt circle around the mound), it would be illegal and would result in a Balk
56. In case some of you didn't get this notice in an e-mail, here is a picture and the statement regarding the bat we talked about at Wednesday's March 20th Chapter meeting. Please read this carefully. This is a LEGAL bat. What would make it illegal would be the excessive aftermarket tape used that would make the knob flush with the handle.
Warstic Bonesaber Bat: In some games lately, umpires have not allowed the Bone Saber Bat to be used. The bat has a pommel, unconventional, tapered knob. If the player adds so much tape that the knob is flushed with the handle, then it needs to be re-wrapped before it is allowed to be used (NFHS Baseball Rule 1-3-2b1). The bat is otherwise legal and compliant.
57. Runner at first base. One out. The batter hits a fly ball to center field that is not caught. The centerfielder throws the ball to second base for an apparent force out. The second baseman catches the ball with his foot on second base. The second baseman then applies a tag on the runner from first sliding into second base. On the tag, the ball falls off the second baseman's glove. The offensive team wants a safe call.
Rule 2 Sec. 9 Art. 1 This falls into the" Definition of a Catch“: Possession, Voluntary Transfer or Change of Direction. Also good umpire judgement as to whether he made the catch or not. If the umpire rules that he made the catch for a force out at second, the fact that he lost the ball on the unnecessary tag of the runner becomes irrelevant.
58. Runner at first base, one out. On the pitch, the runner attempts a steal of second. The pitcher delivers a high and inside pitch to the batter. The umpire calls the pitch a ball. The batter immediately heads for first claiming the pitch hit his shirt. The catcher does not throw to second. The umpire brings the batter back to bat with no argument or question from his coach. The defensive coach calls the umpire over and asks, "what did you call?" The umpire replies, "I called a ball and told the batter that he did not get hit by the pitch." The defensive coach replies, "OK, I thought you called batter interference." Play resumed.
Rule 7 Sec. 3 Art. 5 This should have been Batter Interference as soon as the batter stepped over the plate to go to first.
59. Before the game starts, a coach wants to know if his player who is wearing an arm cast, can play.
Rule 1 Sec. 5 Art. 8 Hard and unyielding items (guards, casts, braces, splints, etc.) must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than ½" thick.
60. The coach pinch hits for his catcher. The pinch hitter gets on base so now the coach wants to put his catcher back on base so that he can use a courtesy runner. This is not legal.
Ruling: As soon as the pinch hitter was used, the catchers position is vacant. When the pinch hitter got on base, he is a base runner. When the coach puts the original catcher back to run, he is now a starter re-entered into the game. He is not considered a catcher until he goes back on defense and re-assumes the catchers position.
61. Sub Varsity coach is wearing shorts. The umpire informs the coach that he cannot be in shorts and must at least wear baseball pants. The umpire restricts the coach to the dugout. The coach gets upset and informs the umpire that they are halfway through the season and no one has brought the uniform rule to his attention.
Rule 3 Sec. 2 Art. 1 One player or coach may occupy each coach's box while the player or coach 's team is at bat. A coach who is not in the uniform of the team shall be restricted to the bench/dugout.
62. As per our state rules interpreter, Kyle McNeeley:
Between Innings: All teams want to have their players, not currently in the game, to be involved and ready to go play at any time. Many teams will have the players, during half innings, run from the dugout to the fence and back. That is perfectly OKAY.
Lately, however, some teams are having their bench players go outside the dugout between innings and play catch with each other. This is NOT OKAY. If a player needs to warm up his arm, he may go to the bullpen or other dead-ball, safe, and supervised area, but not outside the dugout.
63. Clarification: Foul Tip.
Rule 2 Sec. 16 Art. 2 A foul tip is a batted ball that goes directly to the catcher's hands and is legally caught by the catcher. It is a strike and the ball is in play.
64. Games canceled by school officials.
65. Batter enters the box with an illegal bat. The batter is out and the head coach is restricted to the bench.
Rule 7 Sec. 4 Art. 1a A batter is out when...
a. the batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat (1-3-5) or is discovered having used an illegal bat. If the infraction is discovered before the next pitch following the turn at bat of the player who used an illegal bat, the defense may take the penalty or the result of the play.
Rule 4 Sec. 1 Art. 3b Penalty
On the first violation of 4-1-3b for entering the box with an illegal bat, the penalty for an illegal bat is applied (7-4-1a) and the head coach shall be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game.
66. Batter runner slides headfirst into first base and over slides the base.
Rule 8 Sec. 4 Art. 2 h1
If a batter-runner safely touches first base and then over slides or overruns it, the batter-runner may immediately return to first base without liability of being tagged out, provided the batter-runner did not attempt to run or feint to second.
67. In the second inning, courtesy runner #1 runs for the catcher. In the fourth inning, the head coach wants to use courtesy runner # 2 to run for the catcher. This LEGAL as long as #2 is a legal substitute. Multiple courtesy runners may be used.
Courtesy Runner Rules
CR 2 SITUATION: Jones runs for F2 in the first inning, but Smith comes out to run for F2 in the third inning. RULING: This is legal if Jones and Smith are both eligible courtesy runners and have reported to the umpire-in-chief as they enter as courtesy runners.
68. The Designated Hitter gets on base. The coach wants to use a legal substitute to pinch run for the DH. This is LEGAL. The role of the DH is NOT eliminated.
The pinch runner assumes the DH role. The original DH can continue as the DH once the pinch runner is taken out of the game.
Case Book 3.1.4 SITUATION B: DH, batting in the second position in the lineup for starter F5, safely reaches first base, where pinch runner S1 replaces him. RULING: The DH has been out of the game once. S1 may become the new DH or the original DH may re-enter as DH.
69. While a team is changing pitchers, a substitute player starts playing catch with a fielder that just entered the game. This is not allowed.
Case Book 3.3.1 SITUATION KK: During a charged conference, the coach or other bench personnel (a) hits or (b) throws fly balls to a substitute outfielder, F8. RULING: Illegal in (a) and (b).
70. A batted ball hits an umpire in position A or B and an infielder had a chance to field the batted ball.
Rule 5 Sec. 1 Art 1f Ball is immediately dead. Batter is awarded first base. Runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch unless forced to advance.
71. Batter runner accidentally kicks his own batted ball while running towards first base.
Rule 5 Sec. 1 Art 1 Batter is out. Runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
72. Batter swings at a pitch that hits his body.
Rule 5 Sec. 1 Art.1a1 The ball becomes dead even though the batter strikes at it.
73. A coach talks to his pitcher in between innings. This is not a charged conference unless the coach delays the game.
Case Book 3.4.1 SITUATION H: Between innings the coach of Team A walks from the third base coach's box to the pitcher's mound and proceeds to visit with F1. RULING: F1 has one minute in which to complete his warmup throws. At that point, the coach should leave the field. The umpire should not allow play to begin until the coach is off the field. The umpire may assess the coach a charged conference if he delays leaving the field.
74. No administrator in charge. Head coach Informs the UIC that he is the administrator in charge.
Ruling: This is an incident report that needs to reported to UIL.
75. Pitch count.
Ruling: Umpires are not responsible for pitch count violations.
76. Penalty for altered bats.
Rule 1 Sec. 3 Art. 2d
NOTE: The NFHS has been advised that certain manufacturers consider alteration, modification and "doctoring" of bats to be unlawful and subject to civil and, under certain circumstances, criminal action.
77. Unruly fans/spectators.
Rule 10 Sec. 2 Art. 3h
Previous ruling read: UIC may forfeit a game because of infractions by spectators, coaches, players or team personnel.
The word “spectators” has been removed.
Rationale: It is not the umpires' responsibilities to deal with fans/spectators. It is the game administrators duty to deal with unruly fans/spectators and ensure the facility is safe for all involved.
“Either they go or we go”.
78. Runner at second. The pitch is made. The catcher catches the ball. As the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, the ball deflects off the batters bat and rolls towards first base. The runner at second takes off to third.
Ruling: This is a live ball.
These were the game situations that were questioned during the course of the 2024 RGV High School Baseball season.
Please continue to send your game situations in for educational purposes. Summer and Fall ball game situations are welcome. Any Summer or Fall ball game situations will be ruled in accordance with the NFHS Baseball Rules.
Joe Jara
President & Rules Interpreter RGV TASO Baseball Chapter
joejara3@yahoo.com
