NFHS DIFFERENCES (2025)
The topics discussed on this page are approached with assumed knowledge of relative OBR rules.
Rule wording is paraphrased.
Embedded Files
RULE 5-1-1k: A balk is an immediate dead ball. There is no continuation of the play.
Fake pickoff throw to third base is allowed.
With runners on base, a pitcher going to his mouth while on the rubber (wipe or no wipe) is charged with a balk. With no runners on base, a ball is awarded to the batter.
RULE 2-32-2f: A slide is illegal if the runner, on a force play, does not slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
RULE 8-4-2-b-1: A runner may slide in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.
RULE 8-3-2: Obstruction is always a delayed dead ball and the play continues to its conclusion. The obstructed runner is awarded a minimum one-base award. All other runners are placed at the umpires' discretion.
RULE 2-22-2: A fake tag applied to a runner by a fielder without the ball is considered obstruction.
RULE 8-4-1g: The main difference between OBR and NFHS is that, in most cases, the quality of the throw under NFHS does not factor into a decision. If a catcher attempting a throw to first base throws wildly because he did not want to peg the runner who is outside of the running lane, this is still considered interference in NFHS.
The runner is still required to be in the physical runner's lane, as opposed to the OBR rule discussing grass and dirt cut-outs.
RULE 8-2-6c: Dead-ball appeals are allowed. Verbal appeal from coach is allowed. Runners can correct their base-running mistake (if legal) during a dead ball before the dead-ball appeal is recognized.
RULE 7-3-5c: Batter is out if the follow-through of his swing hits the catcher and hinders his ability to make a play on a runner, intentional or not.
RULE 8-4-i: Upon realizing a third strike has not been caught, the batter is not out until entering bench or dugout area.
An uncaught third strike bouncing and inadvertently touching the batter-runner advancing to first base is a live ball unless the batter-runner intentionally interferes.
PITCHERS
Pitchers and catchers warming up in live-ball territory must have a third teammate with them as a "protector."
Pitchers can receive signs off the rubber but then must simulate taking the sign once on the rubber. In other words, they cannot quick-pitch the batter immediately after stepping on the rubber.
While on the rubber, pitchers are not allowed to attempt a pickoff from the Windup Position.
ODDS AND ENDS
For fields not enclosed by fencing or stands, a fielder in possession of the ball is not considered out of play unless BOTH FEET are in dead-ball territory. If both feet are out of play or if the fielder falls to the ground, the ball is dead and all runners are awarded one base. There is no "catch-and-carry" rule.
At the time of the pitch, all fielders must have at least one foot in fair territory.
Diving over a defender: A runner is out if he attempts to dive over a fielder who is standing or kneeling. Runner is not out if the fielder is lying on the ground.
A batter is out when making contact with a pitch if the batter's foot is touching the plate. Meanwhile, OBR makes no mention of stepping on the plate; only that the batter's foot must be entirely outside the batter's box and touching the ground.
Touching a pitched ball with detached equipment is a two-base award.
A foul tip must first hit the catcher's glove or hand in order to be "legally caught."
Walk-off scoring: In a walk-off situation, all runners must touch the base to which they're forced, including the batter-runner touching first. EXAMPLE: Bases loaded. Two outs. Tie game. Batter hits single up the middle. R3 scores. R2 advances and touches third. Batter-Runner touches first. R1 stops running toward second base in order to celebrate at home plate. The defense properly appeals the missed touch at second base. R1 is out; the run does not score.
While NFHS states a plate umpire does not have to honor the defense's request to appeal a check swing, it is still considered good practice to do so.
"Hidden Ball Trick" -- Pitcher cannot be within five feet of the rubber without the baseball.
CONFERENCES
Defense is allowed three(3) conferences in a 7-inning game. A "visit" due to injury is not charged as a conference. A "visit" that results in the pitcher being replaced is not charged as a conference. Use the back of a team's lineup card when keeping track of conferences. It's recommended to make note of the inning and number of outs at the time of a conference in case questions arise in the later innings.
In extra innings, the defense is allowed one visit per inning. This does not accumulate: if the defense doesn't use their visit in the 8th inning, the slate is wiped clean and they are allowed only one visit in the 9th inning.
Offense is allowed one conference per inning -- including extra innings, which also does not accumulate. When the defense is conducting a conference, the offense is not to be charged with a conference if the batter runs to a coach for a quick talk, for example. But once the defensive conference is concluded, the batter must promptly return to the batter's box. This works vice versa with the offense requesting a visit and the defensive coach coming out to talk to his catcher in the meantime.
MANAGING A LINEUP
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