Major Rules Differences OBR vs. NFHS

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1 Major Rules Differences OBR vs. NFHS Bat, Ball, and Glove Specifications 1. Wood only. The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more the 2-3/4 inches in diameter and not more than 42 inches long. (No weight-to-length requirements.) OBR 1.10(a). 2. Pitchers glove may not be white, gray, or distracting in any manner. OBR 1.15(a). 1. The NFHS Authenticating Mark is required on all baseballs. NFHS Bats shall be wood or non-wood. Non-wood bats must be silk screened with BESR (NO STICKERS OR DECALS). NFHS ONLY bats may be used in loosening up. NFHS The length of a bat is limited to 36 inches and 2-5/8 (non-wood) inches or 2-3/4 (wood) inches in diameter. Bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-long bat cannot be less than 30 ounces). NFHS A batter is out if he enters the batter s box with an illegal bat or it s discovered before the first pitch to the following batter. NFHS and 7-4-1a. 5. The NFHS allows any fielder to use any kind of glove or mitt at any position meeting the delineated specifications. Pitching gloves may be multicolored, except that they may not contain white or gray. NFHS There are two options that the NFHS allows beyond those in OBR. (1) If a batter hits the ball with what is then discovered to be an illegal bat, he can still be declared out. However, the defense can decline that penalty, and choose to take the results of any play that may have occurred as a result of the at-bat. NFHS 7-4-1a. (2) If a fielder handles a live ball with what is then discovered to be an illegal glove, the ball is declared dead and the batter and all runners are awarded two bases. But, similar to before, the offense can decline that award (NFHS 8-3-3a,b, and c) and choose to take the results of the hit and the resulting play. NFHS Uniform Specifications 1. Any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be a uniform solid color for all players on a team. OBR 1.11.(a)(1) 2. Sleeve lengths may vary from player to player but sleeve lengths of each individual shall be the same length and not ragged, frayed, or slit. OBR 1.11(c)(1) and (2). 1. Same as pro rule except the exposed sleeves of a pitcher s undershirt cannot be white or gray. NFHS NBUA Training Page 1 of 10

2 Intentional Walks 1. There is no provision for issuing an intentional walk verbally. A minimum of four pitches must be thrown. OBR 6.08(a). 1. An intentional base on balls may be given by the defensive team by having its catcher or coach request the umpire to award the batter first base. This may be done before pitching to the batter or on any ball and strike count. The ball shall be declared dead before making the award. NFHS Substitutions - General 1. No re-entry allowed. OBR Only starters are allowed to re-enter once in the same spot in the batting order. NFHS Substitutions - Pitcher 1. A pitcher who takes the mound after the start of a half inning must finish pitching to the batter who was at bat when the pitcher took the mound, unless a pinch hitter enters the game. OBR 3.05(a) and (b) 2. A manager is prohibited from making a second trip to the mound to the same pitcher with the same batter. OBR 8.06(c). 3. A pitcher may change to another position only once during the same inning; e.g. the pitcher will not be allowed to assume a position other than a pitcher more than once in the same inning. OBR 3.03 Comment. 4. If a pitcher changes positions and then returns to the mound during the same inning, he will be allowed the usual eight warm-up pitches. PBUC Umpire Manual If the player listed as the starting pitcher on the lineup card does not face one batter, he may play another position, but he may not return to pitch in the game. NFHS 3-1-1, Penalty. 2. Generally the same as the OBR rule. However, if a pitcher is removed from the mound because of charged conferences, he cannot return to pitch under any circumstances. NFHS NBUA Training Page 2 of 10

3 Substitutions - Pitcher/Designated Hitter (DH) 1. A team may DH for the pitcher only and the DH must be designated before the game. If the DH enters the game defensively, the DH is terminated and the pitcher must bat for the defensive player who was removed. Also, if the pitcher bats for himself, the DH is terminated. OBR 6.10(b). 1. The NFHS is similar to OBR except a team may DH for anyone in the lineup, not just the pitcher. However, a starting defensive player cannot be listed as the DH in the starting lineup. NFHS Pitching Visits and Defensive Conferences 1. A coach s second visit to the mound, to the same pitcher in the same inning, mandates the pitcher being removed from the game. OBR 8.06(b) 2. By rule, there is no limitation or penalty imposed for other defensive conferences granted by the umpire. However, a coach cannot circumvent the trips to the mound rule by visiting another defensive player who then goes to the mound. OBR 8.06 Comment. 1. For a regulation game, each team is allowed no more than three charged defensive conferences during an entire seven inning game, without penalty, to confer with a defensive player. In an extra inning game, each team shall be permitted one charged conference each extra inning while on defense, without penalty. The number of charged conferences permitted is not cumulative. Unused free conferences from the first seven innings do not carry over into extra innings. Once a team has used its initial three charged conferences in seven innings or less, or its one conference in an extra inning, another conference will require the pitcher to be removed as pitcher. NFHS Offensive Conferences 1. No specific rule on offensive conferences. They are granted at the umpire s discretion. 1. When on offense, each team may be granted not more than one charged conference per inning to permit the coach to confer with base runners, the batter, the on-deck batter or other offensive team personnel. The umpire shall deny any subsequent offensive team requests for a conference. NFHS NBUA Training Page 3 of 10

4 Conference Has Ended 1. Defensive: A manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when he leaves the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher s rubber. OBR PBUC Umpire Manual Offensive: Ends at the umpire s discretion. 1. Defensive: If the conference was in fair territory, it is over when the coach crosses the foul line. If the conference was in foul territory, it is over when the coach starts back to the dugout. NFHS Offensive: The conference is over when a coach starts back to the dugout or coach s box. NFHS When either team has a charged conference, the other team may also have a conference, which is not charged. NFHS Obstruction - General 1. If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance to the bases they would have reached if there had been no obstruction. Obstructed runners who are being played on shall be awarded at least one base in advance of the last base they legally touched. OBR 7.06(a). 2. If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. Obstructed runners who are not being played on will only be awarded bases that would nullify the obstruction. OBR 7.06(b). 3. Batter-runner (BR) is obstructed before reaching first base: 1) On an infield ground ball, the ball is dead and the batter-runner is awarded first base; 2) On a pop-up, line drive, or fly ball that is caught, the batter is out and the obstruction is ignored; 3) On a pop up or line drive to the infield that is dropped, the ball is dead and obstruction is enforced; 4) On a fly ball to the outfield that is dropped, leave the ball in play and the batter-runner is protected to at least first base. PBUC Umpire Manual Obstruction may be ignored and is always a delayed dead ball. When obstruction occurs, the ball becomes dead at the end of playing action and the umpire has authority to determine which base or bases shall be awarded to an obstructed runner, whether played on or not, that will nullify the obstruction. Malicious contact supersedes obstruction. NFHS , 5-1-3, and Note: Although NFHS rules specify that any obstructed runner (which by definition includes the BR) is awarded a minimum of one base, whether played on or not, the rules do not explicitly address obstruction on the BR before he reaches first base. Obstruction on the 2007 NBUA Training Page 4 of 10

5 BR before he reaches first base should be enforced the same as OBR. Do not nullify an out and award the BR a base if he is obstructed before reaching first base after hitting pop-up, line drive, or fly ball that is caught. You should handle the situation in one of the following two ways: 1) delay your obstruction call until the ball is either caught or dropped by the fielder; or 2) immediately call obstruction when the BR is hindered. Then, if the ball is caught, ignore the obstruction just as you would under OBR. You can do this using your provision under NFHS g, which gives umpires the authority to rule on anything not specifically covered by the rules. 1. No provision. Obstruction Fake Tag 1. A fake tag, which is the act of a defensive player without the ball simulating a tag, is always considered obstruction. A base is always awarded for a fake tag. Furthermore, for this infraction like many others in NFHS rules, the umpire must issue a team warning. Another member of that team who commits the same infraction must be ejected. NFHS , b Penalty, and No provision. Team Warnings 1. A warning may be issued to the coach of the team, instead of ejecting the offender for the first offense, for any of the offenses listed in NFHS a, b, c, d, e. The next violation shall result in an ejection of the offender on that team. NFHS Penalty. Ejections/Benching of Coach 1. Ejected players or coaches must leave the field (and dugouts) and take no further part in the game. 1. Coaches may, if the umpire judges the offense to be of a minor nature, be restricted to the bench/dugout, instead of being ejected from the game, for violation of any of NFHS g, h, i, j, k, or l. NFHS Penalty. 1. No provision. Malicious Contact 2007 NBUA Training Page 5 of 10

6 1. Malicious contact by a runner before he scores is an automatic out and an ejection. If the malicious contact occurs after he scores, the runner is only ejected. In either case, it is interference and the ball is dead. NFHS 3-3-1n Penalty. Note: If, for example, the catcher is in the baseline between third and home while waiting to receive a throw and a runner runs into the catcher. Because the catcher should not be in the baseline before he has possession of the ball or there s a reasonable chance for him to receive it before the runner reaches that spot, you should give the runner any benefit of the doubt if non-malicious contact occurs. Casebook 8-3-2c. Interference and Illegal Acts by Runners or Batter-Runners 1. A runner, who in the opinion of the umpire contacts or attempts to make contact with a fielder with a slide or roll block that is not a bona fide effort to reach and stay on a base, may be called out for interference. OBR 6.05(m) Professional Interpretation. 2. There is no force-play slide rule. A runner is only required to slide in a manner such that he can touch the bag. If a runner willfully or deliberately interferes with a fielder or batted ball to prevent a double play, the runner and batter-runner are out. OBR 7.09(g). 3. It is interference when a batter hits or bunts a fair ball and his bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory when the batter is out of the batter s box or if the bat is dropped and hits the ball a second time in fair territory. 6.05(h). However, if the batter drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory, it is not interference if the umpire judges the batter was not trying to interfere with the ball. 6.05(h) Professional Interpretation. 1. A legal slide can be either feet first or head first. If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock shall be on the ground. If a runner slides, he must slide within reach of the base with either a hand or a foot. NFHS Types of illegal acts while sliding into a base are listed in NFHS A runner may slide or run in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. NFHS 2-32 Exception and 8-4-2b Exception. 2. It is only interference if the batter intentionally contacts a batted or bunted ball with the bat a second time. NFHS 8-4-1d. 3. Runners should avoid illegal contact with a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on him. NFHS 8-4-2c. On force plays, the force-play slide rule is also in effect. Runners must slide in a direct line towards the base. NFHS 8-4-2b. 4. A runner may hurdle, jump, or leap a fielder who is lying on the ground in an attempt to avoid contact. However, a runner is out if at anytime he dives over a fielder or hurdles, jumps, or leaps a fielder who is not lying on the ground. The runner is out and the ball remains live unless interference occurs. NFHS 8-4-2c Note and -2d. 5. If a runner, or the batter-runner, interferes in any way and prevents a double play anywhere, two shall be declared out (the runner who interfered and the other runner involved). NFHS g NBUA Training Page 6 of 10

7 Batter Staying in the Batter s Box 1. If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter s box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. OBR 6.02(c). 2. The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter s box throughout the batter s time at bat, unless one of the following exception applies, in which case the batter may leave the batter s box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate: (1) The batter swings at a pitch; (2) The batter is forced out of the batter s box by a pitch; (3) A member of either team requests and is granted Time ; (4) A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base; (5) The batter feints a bunt; (6) A wild pitch or passed ball occurs; (7) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound after receiving the ball; or (8) The catcher leaves the catcher s box to give defensive signals. OBR 6.02(d). 1. The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout his time at bat. However, a batter may leave the batter's box when any of the following occurs. If the batter leaves the batter's box and none of the below exceptions apply, the plate umpire shall charge a strike to the batter. The pitcher need not pitch, and the ball remains alive: (1) The batter swings at a pitch; (2) The batter is forced out of the box by the pitch; (3) The batter attempts a "drag bunt;" (4) The defensive team feints or attempts a play at any base; (5) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher's plate after receiving the ball; (6) A member of either team requests and is granted "time;" (7) The catcher leaves catcher's box to adjust his equipment or give defensive signals; and (8) The catcher does not catch the pitched ball. Balks and Illegal Acts by the Pitcher 1. A balk is a delayed dead ball. If the batter and all runners advance at least one base after the pitcher balks and delivers a pitch to the plate, the balk is ignored. If the pitcher throws wild to the plate or a base, a runner may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled at his own risk. If all runners advance a minimum of one base on a wild pitch that is preceded by a balk, then the balk is still acknowledged for the batter and the batter resumes his at bat with the same count he had before the balk and wild pitch. OBR 8.05 Penalty and Approved Rulings. 2. The pitcher may not go to his mouth while within the 18-foot circle surrounding the rubber. It is only a ball if he violates the rule. OBR 8.02(a)(1) Penalty. 3. With runners on base, it is a balk if the pitcher stands on or astride the rubber without having the ball. OBR 8.05(i). 1. The ball is dead immediately when a balk or an illegal pitch occurs. If a balk is called and the pitch is still thrown, even if the ball is hit for a home run or it touches the batter, it is dead immediately. The runners are awarded one base, and the batter must continue his at 2007 NBUA Training Page 7 of 10

8 bat with the same count. If there are runners on base, such illegal acts (e.g., applying a foreign substance to the ball) are balks. If no runners are on base, a ball is awarded to the batter. NFHS k, 6-1-1, -2 and -3 Penalty. 2. The pitcher may turn his shoulders to check the runners while in contact with the pitcher s plate prior to bringing his hands together during the stretch. NFHS Once a pitcher contacts the rubber in the windup position, he may only disengage his pivot foot and step back or deliver a pitch. He may not throw to a base. Once he begins any movement, he may only deliver to the plate in a continuous and uninterrupted motion. Any pause in the pitchers motion, once he begins the delivery is a balk. NFHS The pitcher s entire glove must set at or below his chin when pitching from the set position. NFHS A jump turn is legal provided the pitcher steps toward the base and gains distance towards the base he is throwing to. NFHS A ball will be called each time a pitcher brings his pitching hand in contact with his mouth, either without distinctly wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball or while in contact with the pitcher s plate. NFHS 6-2-1e. 7. With runners on base, it is a balk if the pitcher positions himself within five feet of the rubber without the ball. NFHS Checked Swing 1. Plate Umpire must check with his partner if requested by the defense. OBR 9.02(c) Comment. 1. NFHS rules make this optional. NFHS Note Appeals 1. Appeals must be made by the defense before a pitch to the next batter or a play on a runner is made. Feinting a throw is not a play; neither is an appeal. OBR Live ball appeals are made in the same manner as in the OBR. Dead ball appeals can be made by the coach or a defensive player, with or without the ball. NFHS 8-2 Penalty. Catch and Carry 1. Fielders may go into the dugout to make a catch or catch a ball in play and carry it out of play. The ball remains live unless the fielder drops the ball or falls to the ground while in dead ball territory. If the fielder falls or drops the ball while in dead ball territory, runners 2007 NBUA Training Page 8 of 10

9 are awarded one base. OBR 5.10(f) and 7.04(c). If the fielder has not fallen in dead ball territory, then the ball remains live and the fielder may throw from a dead ball territory and complete a play. OBR 5.10(f) Professional Interpretation. 1. If a fielder has two feet completely in dead ball territory when he touches the ball, the ball is immediately dead. If after making a catch in the field of play, the fielder then falls or steps with two feet completely into dead ball territory, the ball is dead and runners are awarded one base. A fielder may drift into dead ball territory and then reestablish himself in live ball territory before touching the ball to make a catch. NFHS 5-1-1i and 8-3-3d. Crowd Control 1. Umpires may eject spectators from the field. However, nothing in the rules allows an umpire to eject a spectator from the stands. In the event of unsportsmanlike behavior or threats from fans, encourage coaches to gain control of their fans. Call police if necessary. OBR 9.01(e)(2). 1. Umpires may eject spectators. It is recommended for the umpire to direct the home team athletic director or representative to take care of any disruptive fans. NFHS 5-2-1c. Fighting and Suspensions 1. Fighting is an unsportsmanlike act and the offenders should be ejected. However, other than a player charging the pitcher s mound, other unsportsmanlike acts warranting an ejection are solely determined by the umpires. OBR PBUC Umpire Manual 1.5 and Any person who leaves his position or bench area for the purpose of fighting or physical confrontation shall be ejected. Coaches may leave their positions or bench area to assist in breaking up a fight, but players cannot. NFHS 3-3-1q Penalty 2. Note: A fight does not have to occur to warrant an ejection, only the intent to fight is necessary. E.g., If a batter who was just hit by a pitch starts to charge the mound and the catcher tackles him to protect his pitcher, both the batter and the catcher should be ejected. 1. Not allowed. Courtesy Runners 1. Courtesy runners are permitted. At any time the team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher. Umpires must track courtesy runners on the lineup card. The same player may not run for both pitcher and catcher. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher is 2007 NBUA Training Page 9 of 10

10 required to leave the game under such circumstances. NFHS Suggested Speed-Up Rules, NFHS 1-1-5, 3-4-1, and j. Starting or Finishing the Game with Less than 9 Players 1. It is a forfeit if a team cannot start and finish the game with nine players. OBR It is a forfeit if a team cannot start a game with nine players or finish the game with at least eight players. If a team is reduced to playing with eight players, during the course of the game, it can return to nine players to finish the game (2007 rule change). An out shall be called each time the empty spot in the batting order comes to bat. NFHS 4-4-1f. Umpire Handles A Live Ball 1. The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls Time to examine the ball. OBR 5.10e. 1. The ball becomes dead immediately when the umpire handles a live ball or calls Time for inspecting the ball. NFHS h NBUA Training Page 10 of 10