Beginning with the major rules
differences in the NFHS rulebook (which was originally one short page), 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 and have
recently updated it.
Please
send an
email if you can add to the list.
NFHS Baseball-Softball Rules Differences / BBCOR Standard
NFHS Rules / Official Baseball Rules
|
RULE
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
RULE
|
| Defense in fair territory at time of pitch with minimum one foot in fair territory (except catcher): penalty-illegal pitch (2-18) | 1-1-4 | 4.03 | Two feet necessary (except catcher) - PBUC Umpire Manuel (3.16) states not to insist 1st baseman play with both feet in fair territory unless offensive team protests |
| Playing Field: Distance/Size: 300 ft foul lines, 350 ft. center, etc. | 1-2-5 | 1.04 | 320 ft foul lines, 400 ft. center, etc. |
| Bases 15" square, 2"-5" thickness, disengage from anchor system, double 1st base permitted by state adoption (1 colored base in foul territory), etc. | 1-2-9 | 1.06 | Bases 15" square, 3"-5" thickness |
| Legal Bat. Non-wood bats must meet BBCOR standard. 36" in length or less. Diameter @ thickest part: 2 3/4" or less (wood), 2 5/8" or less (non-wood). Max. minus 3 weight differential |
1-3-2,3,4,5
|
1.10
|
Maximum diameter 2.62", not more than 42" in length, no length minus weight differential. Wood only. No BBCOR |
| Pitcher may wear two-tone glove (no white or grey) | 1-3-6 | 1.15 | Colors limited, not distracting |
| Catcher's glove may be any size | 1-3-6 | 1.12 | Size of catcher's glove limited |
| 1st baseman's glove can be worn by any fielder | 1-3-6 | 1.13 | 1st baseman's glove has specific size specifications which difer from fielder's gloves |
| Uniform requirements - should / shall | 1-4 | 1.11 | Uniform requirements - 2 sets, etc. |
| Pitcher may wear batting glove if not distracting to the batter | 1-4-2 | 3.12 - PBUC Umpire Manuel | Pitcher may not wear batting glove while pitching |
| 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 |
| Intentional base on balls. Dead ball award |
2-4-3
|
6.08(a)
|
Pitches must be thrown |
| Catch definition | 2-9-1 | 2.0 | Catch definition; includes voluntary & intentional release |
| 7 inning game | 2-17-1 | 4.10 (a-d) | 9 inning game |
| Verbal obstruction | 2-22-1 | No rule | |
| 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 (type b). If play is made on obstructed runner (type a), 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 |
| Courtesy runner for pitcher or catcher | 2-33-1 | No rule | Not permitted |
| Tobacco chewing illegal | 3-1p | No rule | No longer permitted in minors |
| Re-entry of starting players |
3-1-3
|
No
rule
|
No re-entry permitted |
| Designated Hitter for any player, DH and player must remain in same spot in batting order; no multiple substitution to alter batting order permitted |
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, multiple substitution permitted which terminates DH |
| ...any amount of blood on uniform...changed or cleaned before individual participates again |
3-1-6
|
9.17 PBUC Umpire Manual
|
.. garment penetrated by blood or other infectious material...removed immediately or as soon as feasible...In most cases it is expected...can be resolved between innings...may be cases...must be acted upon immediately |
| Base coaches: "One player or coach may occupy each coach's box..." | 3-2-1 | 4.05(a) | "The offensive team shall station two base coaches...". Implies that the offensive team must have two base coaches |
| Assistant coach leaving dugout or coaching box to argue: he and head coach restricted to bench | 3-2-3 | No rule | |
| 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
|
|
| No jewelry permitted | 3-3-1c | 3.15 PBUC Umpire Manual | No "distracting" jewelry |
| 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
|
|
| Umpires decide if 2nd game of doubleheader is started (unsuitable weather or unfit field) | 4-1-1 | 3.01(b) | Umpire-in-Chief of 1st game makes the decision |
| Check swing appeal not required | No rule | 9.02(c) notes | If requested by catcher or manager, plate umpire must ask for help |
| "Mercy" (10 run) rule after 5 innings or 4 1/2 if home team is leading; can end after 3 full innings if both coaches & UIC agree (Casebook 4.2.4) | 4-2-2 | No rule | |
| Game called after visiting team takes lead or ties the score in top half of inning, score reverts back to last completed inning | 4-2-3 | 4.12(5i) | Game is suspended |
| Finishing game with 8 players permitted - out recorded when empty spot in batting order reached |
4-4-1f
|
No
rule
|
Must field 9 players at all times or forfeit game |
| Player removing helmet in live ball territory w/live ball - delayed dead ball - team warning - 2nd violation same team: ejection | 5-1-2e | No rule | |
| Umpire handles live ball or makes indavertant call: 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 |
| Fair ball lodges in players equipment or uniform - dead ball | 5-1-1f (5) | No rule | |
| Making ball live | 5-1-4 | 5.11 | See rule |
| 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 PBUC Umpire Manual
|
Pitcher must visually indicate which way he
will pitch...pitcher must throw one pitch to the batter before any "switch" by
either player is allowed...afterwards each may switch once per at bat Click here for story behind rule |
| Allowable movements from the windup position: Can't throw to a base without stepping back off the rubber |
6-1-2
|
8.01(a)
|
The Windup Position... |
| Pitching restrictions - state association mandated rest period | 6-1-6 | No rule | |
| Pitcher must distinctly wipe pitching hand after bringing in contact with mouth before touching ball | 6-2-1e | 8.02(a) | Pitcher may go to mouth if not in contact with pitcher's plate and clearly wipes the fingers dry |
| 8 warm-up pitches for starting and new pitcher, 5 in subsequent innings | 6-2-2 | 8.03 | 8 prepatory pitches beginning of each inning subject to league modification |
| Pitcher must pitch within 20 seconds of receiving ball | 6-2-2c | 8.04 | With bases unoccupied, pitcher must deliver ball within 12 seconds after receiving ball |
| Pitcher feet on or astride pitchers plate or within approx. 5 feet of the plate without ball or makes any movement naturally associated with his pitch while off plate-balk. (hidden ball trick) | 6-2-5 | 8.05(i), 8.05 comment | Pitcher without ball on or astride rubber or while off the plate, feins pitch-balk |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| Batter interference on strike 3 with runner stealing, batter is out, runner may be called out | 7-3-5 Penalty | Batter and runner automatically out | |
| Missed base or leaving too soon on a caught ball (Verbal appeal) | 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 |
| Ball hit over any fence is a home run | 8-3-3a | 1.04 | Ball hit over fence less the 250 feet from plate can be a ground rule award |
| 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 is out: On a dropped 3rd strike, he gives up by entering the bench or dugout area or with 2 outs does not attempt to reach 1st base before all infielders leave the diamond... | 8-4-1i | 6.09(b) Comment | ...once he leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate |
| Illegal to dive over fielder | 8-4-2d | No rule | Permitted |
| 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 |
| No bowling over catcher | 8-4-2f | No rule | Permitted |
| Winning starting pitcher must pitch 4 innings | 9-6-6a | 10.19(a) | Winning starting pitcher must pitch 5 innings |
| Umpire jurisdiction - begins when the umpires arrive at the confines of the field for the purpose of officiating the game; ends when umpires leave the playing field, but retain clerical authority | 10-1-2 | 4.01 | Umpire jurisdiction - begins when the home team's lineup is presented to the plate umpire; no rule addressing end of jurisdiction |
| Not a balk | No rule | 8.05 (c) comment | Balk: 3rd to 1st move from the rubber starting with the 2013 season |
| Check swing appeal not required | No rule | 9.02(c) notes | If requested by catcher or manager, plate umpire must ask for help |
Have another difference or an update? 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 and / or omissions.
Rules copyright © by the Commissioner of Baseball, NFHS. All
Rights Reserved.