Abandonment vs Refusal to Advance
 

Can anyone give me a NFHS and OBR rule ref for a BR who, instead of advancing to 1st base after a hit or DTS, leaves the batting circle and enters the dugout. I see the ref for a BR who enters the dugout after reaching 1st, or an advanced base, but not one for "refusing" to advance
Thanks,
Dick Lindberg

For FED DTS, see 8-4-1-i

You have to use that as precedent for the other cases you mention. "Abandonment" applies only after reaching first (at least by the literal reading of the rules).

Someone (J/R?) came up with the concept of "desertion" to cover the cases before BR reaches first.

Abandonment vs Refusal to Advance
 

Thanks, Bob. In a training session recently the trainer stated that in NFHS the refusal or desertion was a function of the batter leaving the batting circle clearly intending to not advance. In OBR, he stated, it required the batter to actually enter the dugout.
I was sure that MLB changed their rule to the former several years ago and that NFHS still required the batter to enter the dugout. But, I can't find anything in the OBR or NFHS that clearly states the case.

Dick L

You can't find it because it isn't there. The leaving the circle applies only to uncaught third strikes.

Rule 5.05(a)(2) Comment (Old Rule 6.09(b) Comment): A batter who does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught, and who is not in the process of running to first base, shall be declared out once he leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate.