2015 NFHS High School Baseball Rules Simplified & Illustrated - Sample Chapter

2015 High School

Baseball Rules

Simplified &

Illustrated BASI15

Table of Contents 2015 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Part 1 2015 New or Revised NFHS Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Part 2 2015 NFHS Points of Emphasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Part 3 Rule 1 Players – Field and Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Rule 2 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Rule 3 Substituting – Coaching – Bench and Field Conduct – Charged Conferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Rule 4 Starting and Ending Game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Rule 5 Dead Ball – Suspension of Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Rule 6 Pitching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Rule 7 Batting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Rule 8 Baserunning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Rule 9 & Rule 10 Scoring – Record Keeping and Umpiring 181 Suggested Speed-up Rules (By State Adoption). . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Signal Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

When the illustrations and statements do not give the complete answer, check the baseball rules book and case book for the technicalities. This book would not be simple if it covered all facets of the rules.

Requests for baseball rules interpretations or explanations should be directed to the state association responsible for the high school baseball program in your state. The NFHS will assist in answering rules questions from state associations whenever called upon.

Part 1 2015 New or Revised NFHS Rules This simplified and illustrated book is a supplement to the 2015 NFHS Baseball Rules Book. As such, it is intended to aid in the administration of the game and in the standardization of interpretations through a unique method of presenting rules.

Each year, the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee considers many items which are submitted as potential changes or revisions. The items which secured favorable endorsement are listed on the previous page of this book. The majority of illustrations in Part 1 show these changes and revisions.

The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee also identified areas of concern which are designated as “Points of Emphasis� for the current season. They appear in Part 2. However, no rule changes were made to cover those particular items.

The illustrations found in Part 3 of this book have been revised to reflect any changes or clarifications as directed by the committee. Recent interpretations have been added to keep the contents current.

Simplified & Illustrated 7

1-5-1 Batting helmets shall have a non-glare, non-mirror like surface and shall meet the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture.

1-5-1, 4-1-3b Even though this helmet met the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture, the crack makes the helmet illegal. The batter must replace the helmet immediately.

8 Simplified & Illustrated

2-16-1f A batted ball that rebounds and hits the batter while he is still legally in the batter’s box shall be called a foul ball.

2-16-1f A batted ball that rebounds and hits the bat while the batter is still holding it while in the batter’s box shall be called a foul ball.

Simplified & Illustrated 9

2-16-1f Even though this batter has one foot completely outside the batter’s box, he has one foot still in. Therefore, when the batted ball rebounds and hits him, it shall be called a foul ball.

2-21-5 On his natural follow-through, the batter has made contact with the catcher. The ball is delayed-dead on follow-through interference and if F2 isn’t able to throw out the runner attempting to steal, the runner must be returned to first base and the batter is out.

10 Simplified & Illustrated

2-21-4 Before the time of the pitch, if the batter’s practice swing makes contact with the catcher or his equipment, the umpire shall call an immediate dead ball. There is no penalty.

3-3-1 The rule that prohibited using video for coaching purposes during a game has been removed. Therefore, it is legal for a coach or player to use a camera, tablet or phone to record video during a game from the dugout.

Simplified & Illustrated 11

3-3-1 The use of radar guns is legal.

12 Simplified & Illustrated