1-1-2/3-2-4 Head Coach is required to be at the pre-game meeting.  Substitutes are not required on lineup cards. However, it is highly recommended. Captains are not required to attend.  

1-3-6 White/Gray, is not permitted on gloves worn by pitchers. Play stands remove glove.

2-22-2 The fielder without possession of the ball may not deny access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve.

A fielder without the ball in his possession may not obstruct a runner.

1) PLAY: Fielder is in base path WITH the ball.  RULING: Fielder may block the base.

2) PLAY: Fielder in base path WITHOUT the ball, but ball is in motion and a play is probable. (Fielder in act of fielding a throw)  RULING: Fielder can be in the base path but MUST provide the runner some access to the base. (“Access” is umpire judgment.)

3) PLAY: Fielder is in base path WITHOUT the ball and the ball is in motion but a play on the runner is not probable.  RULING: Obstruction if fielder obstructs the runner or changes the pattern of the play.

3-2-1 The coach’s box rule has been rescinded. However, coaches are still required to be within a reasonable distance of the box.

6-2-4 For clarity, the NFHS has rewritten portions of the balk rule.

1) With nobody on base, the pitcher, while touching the pitcher’s plate goes to his mouth.

RULING: Ball awarded to the batter whether the pitcher wipes or not.

2) With a runner or runners on base, the pitcher, while touching the pitcher’s plate, goes to his mouth.  RULING: Balk on the pitcher.

3) Pitcher, with/without runners, who is off the pitcher’s plate, goes to mouth, touches the ball without wiping, then contacts the pitcher’s plate. RULING: Ball awarded to batter.

4) Pitcher, who is off the pitcher’s plate, goes to his mouth then touches the ball without wiping. No penalty until the pitcher engages the pitcher’s plate.  RULING: The pitcher, before engaging the pitcher’s plate, may request “time” and ask for a new ball from the umpire without penalty.

NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS

BATTER HIT BY PITCH: The committee is concerned that batters are still attempting to “take one for the team.” The batter has to make every attempt to avoid being hit. In some cases it is the batter who causes contact with the pitch.

TEAM PERSONNEL LOCATION: Coaches cannot put buckets outside the dugout or illegally extending the dugout toward home plate.

Case Plays

1.  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)

2.  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 his 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)

3.  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)

4.  As the pitcher moves to attempt a pickoff at first base, the first baseman drops to 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)

5.  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)

6.  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)

7.  With the pre-game 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 pre-game conference. The head coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. (3-2-4 Penalty, 4-1-3a)

8.  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 pre-game conference. RULING: This is permissible. When the head coach arrives at the game, he may resume normal coaching activity. (3-2-4)

9.  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)

10.  B4, attempting to bunt and advance a runner to 3^rd base, bunts the ball so that it strikes home place and rolls in front of the plate.  Because of backspin, the ball then rolls back and comes to rest on top of home plate, untouched by any member of the defense.  Ruling:  This is a fair ball.  Home plate is part of fair territory.  1-2-6, 2-5-1a

11.  B1 leads off the inning with a single.  B3, batting out of order, singles, advancing B1 to 3^rd base.  Before the next batter hits, the defense want to appeal both that B1 missed 2^nd and that B3 batted out of order.  In order to get two outs the defense must do what?  Ruling:  The defense must appeal the missed base and then batting out of order.  7-1-1, 8-2-6f

12.  With R2 on 2^nd, B4 singles to center.  F8 throws home where F2 completely blocks home plate while (a) in possession of the ball, (b) while juggling and attempting to secure the ball, or (c) before the ball reached F2.  Ruling:  (a) legal play, (b) and (c) F2 is guilty of obstruction.  2-22-3

13.  F6 fields a ground ball and throws to F3 in an attempt to retire B1 at 1^st.  The ball is thrown wide.  As F3 lunges toward the ball and B1 tries to reach the base, there is a collision that denies B1 access to 1^st.    The collision is not malicious.  Ruling:  F3 is guilty of obstruction and B1 would be awarded 1^st base.  F3 must have possession of the ball in order to deny B1 access to the base.  Even though some people would argue that it is just a baseball play where the ball, runner and fielder all came to the same spot at the same time, it is important to note that F6’s bad throw caused the problem.

14.  With 2 outs, B1 takes a called 3^rd strike.  B1 heads for his dugout, not realizing F2 dropped the pitch.  F2 then throws the ball wildly toward 1^st.  B1 heads for 1^st and makes the base safely.  When is B1 considered out? Ruling.  When B1 enters the dugout.  8-4-1i

15.  With the bases loaded and the scored tied in the bottom of the last inning, B1 receives a two-out walk. B1 runs down to first as R3 scores, but R1 goes off to celebrate.
a. The run counts.
b. The run counts unless an appeal is made on R1.
c. The run does not count.

Ruling: 9-1-1