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"What you quoted is ASA. The question was for NFHS.
Can you give me a quote for NFHS?"
No. When NFHS re-wrote Rule 8 a couple years ago to more closely follow the ASA rule, they copied only 4 of the 5 interference issues in 8.7.J. There is no interference clause in NFHS for a "deflected" ball.
I had this play last spring in a HS District tournament game. R1 on 2B, hard shot to F1, who knocks the ball down which then rolls towards 2B. R1 hesitated, thinking that ball may be caught. F6 then decided to go for the ball and R1 and F6 collided. I allowed the play to continue (R1 to 3B, B-R at 1B), then caught all sorts of hell from defensive coach who wanted interference called. I gave him "deflected ball explanation" and he eventually accepted it.
I spent some time with my books between games and soon discovered my error: I had applied an ASA rule to a NFHS game. There wasn't another soul at the park, including my partner, who knew the rules so I "got away with it." Fortunately it did not affect the outcome of the game. You can bet I won't do that again!
BTW - speaking ASA - this rule has a little quirk to it. You assume runner (intentionally) interfering with the opportunity to make a play. You assume wrong - the words are "opportunity to make an out." Big difference. Intentionaly or not, with a speedy batter-runner, there was no way any fielder was going to make an out on the deflected ball in my game.
WMB
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