Base Running Blunders
R1 takes off early on a fly ball to center. The ball is caught and thrown back to first base before R1 returns. What’s the call?
R1 is out. This is a "tag-up" situation. The runner must retouch their base after the ball is caught. Leaving early and being doubled off is a legal force out.
F4 throws to F3, who drops it but then tags the base with his foot while holding the ball in his hand.
Batter is out. NFHS allows a fielder to record a force out by tagging the base with any part of the body while in possession of the ball—even if not in the glove.
Batter-runner runs outside the 3-foot running lane and interferes with throw to first.
Runner is out for interference. NFHS 8-4-1g: Must be within the 3-foot lane unless stepping onto the base.
Batter steps out of the box without time and the pitcher delivers. Is the pitch legal?
Pitch is legal. The umpire may penalize the batter with a strike. Stepping out without time does not stop the play.
How many free defensive conferences allowed per game?
Three total, one per inning for extra innings. NFHS allows 3 free defensive conferences per game (Rule 3-4-1).
R2 is obstructed by F6 while trying to advance to third on a ground ball.
Obstruction is called, and R2 is awarded third base. NFHS Rule 8-3-2. The umpire awards the base the runner would have reached without the obstruction.
F6 intentionally drops a soft liner with runners on 1st and 2nd.
Batter is out. NFHS Rule 8-4-1c: Intentional drop with a force situation is illegal and the batter is automatically out. Runners return.
Plate umpire is hit by a pitched ball before it crosses the plate.
Live ball. If it's not intentional and the catcher isn't interfered with, the play continues.
Batter’s foot is on the line of the batter’s box during contact.
Legal. NFHS allows foot on the line; only out if the foot is completely outside the box.
Can a courtesy runner be used for the catcher with 2 outs?
Yes, and it must be someone not in the current lineup.
R1 and R2 are on base. Batter hits a grounder to second. R1 runs into the fielder trying to make a play.
R1 is out for interference. The ball is dead, and the batter-runner is awarded first base (unless the interference prevented a double play).
F3 catches a foul fly but falls into the dugout. What’s the ruling?
Catch is valid, but ball is dead. Runners advance one base if they were tagging. NFHS allows one-base award if a player leaves live ball territory.
A foul fly ball is caught near the dugout. The fielder has one foot in and one out.
No catch. Both feet must be in live ball territory (on or above the playing field) for it to be legal.
Pitch hits the batter while swinging.
Strike, dead ball. A swing negates the hit-by-pitch. No base awarded.
A team bats out of order but defense doesn’t appeal.
No penalty. NFHS requires defense to appeal before a pitch to the next batter or it stands.
R3 tags up and scores just before R2 is tagged out trying to get back to second base. Does the run count?
Yes, the run counts. The run scores if it crosses the plate before the third out is made—as long as it's not a force out.
A fair batted ball hits the umpire in front of F4 before passing any other fielder.
Ball is dead, batter awarded first. Runners return if not forced. This is umpire interference under NFHS rules.
Umpire calls time, but pitcher still delivers the pitch.
No pitch. The ball is dead during time. It is not a balk because the play was not live.
Batter shows bunt, doesn’t pull back, pitch is high and outside. Ball or strike?
Strike. Any offer, even without a full motion, is a strike. Judgment call on whether it was an “offer.”
Can a player re-enter the game after being substituted?
Yes, once. A starter may re-enter once. Substitutes may not re-enter.
R1 is stealing on a wild pitch. The ball bounces off the backstop and directly into the catcher’s glove. He throws R1 out. Legal play?
Yes. Nothing illegal about the ball rebounding off the backstop; the catcher can still make a legal play on the runner.
Center fielder throws his glove and hits a live ball.
Award 3 bases. Throwing equipment to stop a ball is a three-base award under NFHS Rule 8-3-3c. The ball remains live.
Batter squares to bunt, pulls back, but the ball hits the bat and rolls fair.
Live ball, fair hit. If the bat stays in the zone and makes contact, it’s in play—even if the batter “pulls back.”
Batter throws the bat and it interferes with the catcher’s throw.
Interference—batter is out, and runners return. NFHS penalizes unintentional interference if it affects a defensive play.
A pitcher takes signs off the rubber. Legal or illegal?
Illegal. NFHS Rule 6-1-1: Pitcher must be on the rubber to take signs from the catcher. Violation may result in a balk or illegal pitch.