I was looking at the TASO web site and Walt Sparks was clarifying a rule interpretation/enforcement for NFHS. The situation is runners on 1st and 2nd. The coach calls time and holds a meeting. When they break up, the runners switch places. When it is caught, the enforcement is 2 outs are declared. Ejection of both players and the coach is optional, if you believe it was intentional. I asked for an explanation of this and was told that it is considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Which begged the question, if it's based on the unsportsmanlike conduct rule, why are outs applied and why are the ejections optional?
I have never seen this, or even heard of it happening, I am just a little confused on the thought process that went into the enforcement of the rule, and whether it's even the right rule to use. I could see ejection of the players and/or coach if I absolutely knew it was deliberate. I'm not sure where the outs can be justified.
Rick
[Edited by TexBlue on Jan 8th, 2004 at 10:16 PM]