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.
A batted ball hits the batter while he is still in the batter’s box. What is the call?
It is a foul ball.
The batter hits a pitch with one foot touching home plate at the time of contact. What is the call?
The batter is out.
A runner is struck by a fair batted ball after it passes an infielder (other than the pitcher), but another infielder behind him had a chance to make a play. What is the ruling?
Runner is out. Even after passing one infielder, if another fielder has a play, the runner can still be called out for interference.
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.
Bases loaded, one out. The batter hits an infield fly that is not caught. The runners advance, and the defense throws home to get the runner from third. What is the correct ruling?
Infield fly and the runners advance at their own risk.
Two outs. Runner occupying first base. The batter swings and misses for strike three, but the catcher drops the ball. What is the call?
This is a live ball, and batter/runner should advance.
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.
Two outs, runner on first. The batter hits a ground ball to the outfield. The runner from first misses second base while advancing to third. The defense properly appeals the missed base. Does any run score if another runner had crossed the plate?
The run does not count. An appeal on a runner missing a base can be a timing play, but with two outs, the appeal becomes the third out.
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 runner is on third. The batter hits a ground ball to shortstop. The shortstop throws home, but the catcher blocks the plate without the ball before receiving the throw. What is the ruling?
This is obstruction, and the runner is awarded home.