Beginning with the 20 major rules differences in the Federation rulebook, this umpiring aid was originally expanded some time ago by adding rule excerpts to the simple list to assist High School umpires working baseball under Pro rules. I have extended the content significantly, attempting to be as all-inclusive as possible. I would like to thank Bruce Grossberg of the BCUA for his assistance in pointing out additional differences. I would appreciate an Email if you can add to the list.
NFHS Baseball / Softball Rules Differences
NFHS Rules / Official Baseball Rules
|
RULE
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
RULE
|
| Legal Bat. Non-wood bats must meet BESR / BBCOR (2012) standard |
13-2.3.4,
1-3-2
|
1.10
|
Maximum diameter 2 3/4 inches, no length minus weight differential. Wood only. No BESR / BBCOR |
| Intentional base on balls. Dead ball award |
2-4-3
|
6.08(a)
|
Pitches must be thrown |
| Obstruction: Always a delayed dead ball. Any obstruction entitles runner to minimum of one base beyond last base safely reached |
2-22-1
|
7.06
|
If no play is being made on obstructed runner, award if necessary. If play is made on obstructed runner, ball becomes dead and runner is awarded a minimum of one base. Dead ball immediately if the batter-runner is obstructed before reaching 1st base |
| Illegal slide |
2-32
|
No
rule
|
Interpretation is that the runner must be able to reach the base with a hand or foot or it is interference. Can't roll block or throw cross body block |
| Illegal to dive over fielder | 8-4-2d | No rule | |
| Re-entry of players |
3-1-1
|
No
rule
|
No re-entry permitted |
| Designated Hitter for any player |
3-1-4
|
6.10(b)
|
No DH, NL. Pitcher only, AL. Pitcher may only bat in same slot in order if enters game as batter or runner for DH. If DH enters game on defense, pitcher must bat in slot vacated by player replaced on defense |
| Fielder without ball fakes tag |
3-3-1a,
8-3-2
|
No
rule
|
Permitted |
| Malicious contact |
2-21-1b,3-3-1n
|
No
rule
|
|
| Umpire discipline of coach |
3-3-1
Penalty
|
9.01(d)
|
Ejection. No restriction to dugout |
| Team warnings |
3-3-1
Penalty
|
No
rule
|
|
| Defensive
conferences Pitcher must be removed on 4th trip. Can have 3 conferences in 1 inning with no pitching change. |
3-4-1
Penalty
|
8.06(b)
|
The second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning results in the pitcher's removal from the game. After conference with pitcher is complete, pitcher must complete pitching to current batter or retire the side before he can be removed, unless offense pinch-hits after conference |
| Offensive conferences |
3-4-2
|
No
rule
|
|
| Finishing game with 8 players |
4-4-1f
|
No
rule
|
Must field 9 players at all times or forfeit game |
| Umpire handles live ball: Ball immediately dead |
5-1-1h
|
5.10(e)
|
No effect on play if immediately released, ball remains live |
| Balk: Ball immediately dead |
5-1-1k
|
8.05
Penalty
|
If balk is followed by a pitch, play continues. If all runners including the batter-runner advance at least one base, balk is nullified, runners liable to be put out. If there is a balk to a base and ball is thrown to the base, ball remains alive. If runner from first advances to second and continues to third while missing second, he is out on appeal |
| If a pitcher is ambidextrous, the umpire shall require the pitcher to face a batter as either a left-handed pitcher or a right-handed pitcher, but not both |
6-1-1
|
8.18 PBUA Umpire Manual
|
Pitcher must visual indicate which way he
will pitch...pitcher must throw one pitch to the batter before any "switch" by
either player is allowed... Click here for story behind rule |
| Allowable movements from the windup position: Can't throw to a base without stepping back off the runner |
6-1-2
|
8.01(a)
|
The Windup Position... |
| Batter is out for hitting ball w/foot completely out of the box OR stepping on home plate: (heel on line, foot on plate... out)* |
7-3-2
|
6.06(a)
|
Batter is out for hitting ball with entire foot out of box |
| *thanks to Terry Calhoun, LA, Calif. | |||
| Missed base or leaving too soon on a caught ball | 8-2 Penalty | 7.10 | No verbal appeals. No dead ball appeals. Must throw to base while time is in. If defense attempts a play, even if initiated by the offense, they lose the right to appeal. Feint of a throw is not a play. Throw to retire a runner is a play |
| Fielder steps into dead ball territory after catch: Each runner awarded one base | 8-3-3d | 5.10(f), 7.04(c) | Any boundary lines are out of play. To make a catch the fielder must have both feet in live area. If catch is made in live area and fielder enters dead ball area while standing ball remains live. It becomes dead if any part of the body, other than hands or feet, touches ground in dead area |
| Runner struck with a fair batted ball while in foul territory: Runner is out if contacted by a fair batted ball. | 8-4-2k | 7.08(f) | Ball remains in play, runner is not out. Runner is out if "He is touched by an a fair ball in fair territory." |
| Runner shall slide or avoid contact on a force or tag play | 8-4-2b,c,d,e,f | No rule | |
| Interference on a double play attempt | 8-4-2g | 7.09(g) | Interference must be willful and deliberate for a double play to be called. Otherwise, only the runner is out. If interference is on the first play, runners return to base occupied at time of pitch |
| Pitcher may wear two-tone glove (no white or grey) | 1.15 | Glove must be uniform in color, including all stitching, lacing and webbing, not distracting | |
| Pitcher wearing batting glove: Pitcher may wear batting glove if not distracting to the batter | 1-4-2 | 3.12 - PBUA Umpire Manuel | Pitcher may not wear batting glove while pitching |
| Winning starting pitcher must pitch 4 innings | 9-6-6a | 10.19(a) | Winning starting pitcher must pitch 5 innings |
| Pitcher must wipe hand after going to mouth | 1-2-1e | 8.02(a) | Effective in 2010 pitcher may go to mouth if not in contact with pitcher's plate and clearly wipes the fingers dry |
| Base coaches: "One player or coach may occupy each coach's box..." | 3.21 | 4.05(a) | "The offensive team shall station two base coaches...". Implies that the offensive team must have two base coaches |
| No jewelry permitted | 3-3-1c | 3.15 PBUA Umpire Manual | No "distracting" jewelry |
| Courtesy runner for pitcher or catcher | 2-33-1 | No rule | Not permitted |
| 7 inning game | 2-17-1 | 4.10 (a-d) | 9 inning game |
| "Mercy" (10 run) rule | 4-2-2 | No rule | |
| Verbal obstruction | 2-22-1 | No rule | |
| Tobacco chewing illegal | 3-1p | No rule | No longer permitted in Minors |
| No bowling over catcher | 8-4-2f | No rule | |
| Defense in fair territory at time of pitch with one foot in fair territory | Two feet necessary | ||
| Catcher's helmet testing restrictions-must be full helmet or two piece tested together, full ear protection, NOC-SAE standard | 1-4-8 | No rule | Ear protection not required, no testing standards |
| Game called after visiting team takes lead or ties the score in top half of inning, score reverts back to last completed inning | 4.12(5i) | Game is suspended | |
| Check swing appeal, not required | 9.02(c) notes | If requested by catcher or manager, plate umpire must ask for help | |
| Batter interference on strike 3 with runner stealing, batter is out, runner may be called out | Batter and runner automatically out | ||
| Batter must have one foot in batter's box at all times (see exceptions). Leaving box with both feet and delaying game results: called strike | 7-2-1(e) | No rule | |
| Ball hit over any fence is a home run | 1.04 | Ball hit over fence less the 250 feet from plate can be a ground rule award | |
| Assistant coach leaving dugout or coaching box to argue: he and head coach restricted to bench | 3-2-3 | No rule |
Have another difference? Email Steve with the rule references for inclusion.
This list is for informational purposes only and is not
recognized by the NFHS or MLB. It is entirely the obligation of the user
to verify all information for errors or omissions.
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Rights Reserved.