NFHS R8-S4-A1g(1): Running Lane Interference

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

The problem is that NFHS rules are not publicly available. OBR are. This means that to understand NFHS, I have to go to a website such as UmpireBible to compare the two rule sets. UmpireBible states that the only substantial difference between NFHS and OBR is the requirement for a quality throw in OBR. This means that in NFHS games, the throw to 1B can be airmailed into the outfield and still result in an out for runner's lane interference, but in OBR, such a play would not qualify as runner's lane interference.

Because the two rules are similar enough, I can use the OBR rule as a starting point, while mentioning any necessary OBR/NFHS differences that are relevant. In this case, OP is most likely not interference, because it is unlikely that the batter-runner would be at such an angle to interfere with a throw from the shortstop. In addition, the batter-runner has to go into fair territory to touch 1B, so unintentional interference may happen, even if the batter-runner was in the lane the entire way prior to that.

1) The StateHSAAs of all fifty states use NFHS Baseball Rules. Which means that if you are a registered H.S. baseball umpire by your StateHSAA you should, at the very least, receive a copy of the NFHS Baseball Rules Book and Case Book every year.

2a) Yes, I know that the NFHS no longer publishes its Rules Books and Case Books online and can be downloaded for free, unlike the NCAA, (MiLB/)MLB(/OBR), and the WBSC which still do.

2b) One can still by a hard copy directly from the NFHS or through Referee.

MTD, Sr.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

1) The StateHSAAs of all fifty states use NFHS Baseball Rules. Which means that if you are a registered H.S. baseball umpire by your StateHSAA you should, at the very least, receive a copy of the NFHS Baseball Rules Book and Case Book every year.

2a) Yes, I know that the NFHS no longer publishes its Rules Books and Case Books online and can be downloaded for free, unlike the NCAA, (MiLB/)MLB(/OBR), and the WBSC which still do.

2b) One can still by a hard copy directly from the NFHS or through Referee.

MTD, Sr.

Aside from your tiff about different codes rule cites, my NFHS organization, TASO, TX has published an interp that the throw should come from behind the runner in the area of HP to use the RLI rule as anyone calling any baseball code would know. I don't know who your author is but he has picked up on the NFHS interp which has been adopted by TASO Texas where RLI is called when a throw is made and the B-R is illegally outside the lane at that instance. We, TASO, NFHS don't care if the throw puts out the B-R but we do have to have the throw coming from "behind" the runner and coming from F6 is not "behind". Please spare me any geometry lession.