[Nevadaref]

I think the NCAA rules handle this better because of the inclusion of the word "legally" when talking about the throw-in being touched in-bounds. The NFHS book does not say that the throw-in ends when it is legally touched, just touched in-bounds, so it includes kicks and fists. That is why the clock should start in NFHS on a kicked throw-in pass, but not in the NCAA. (Actually, this year the NCAA made when a throw-in ends very wacky due to the team control foul rule.)
The intent of the rule was to correct for teams attempting to deprive their opponents the priviledge of running the end line by committing some silly violation or foul during the throw-in. This allowed the defense to gain an advantage by doing something that is against the rules and that is not within the spirit of the rules according to the paragraph on page 10 near the start of the rules book.

Remember the intent was to correct for stuff that was done DURING the throw-in. The kicking/fisting of the ball has been interpreted to be DURING the throw-in even in NFHS, hence the right to run is retained. With a normal touch the subsequent OOB violation does not occur DURING the throw-in, so the right to run is lost. The defensive team has not attempted to take advantage of the rules to gain an unintended benefit. The bottom line here is to reward fair play, and not to reward unfair play.

[Edited by Nevadaref on Feb 9th, 2004 at 06:51 AM]