Unsportsman like act ???NFHS
 

Runners at 1st and 2nd. Next pitch is a called ball. Batter takes off to 1st as if it was ball 4. No play is made,runners all advance. BR is informed that the count was 3 balls. She returns to bat.

This is done numerous times during the game..even on less than 3 balls. It is suspected that this is being done deliberately by the team at bat. FYI...it was later found that it was deliberate.

Question? As an official how would you rule on this?

NFHS case play 3.6.13. Sit B

The defense is responsible for knowing the situation and making the appropriate play. But, it also states if the umpire believes the act to be intentional it is within the umpires authority to eject the offender for acts not in the interest of fair play. The umpire may also warn the coach and eject the next offender.

If this happened "multiple times", I think that after the first few I would have had a talk with the coach. Just let him know what the consequences are if I judge it to be intentional. And I'd let him know that if it happens over and over I'm probably going to judge it to be intentional!

One thing that might put a damper on this is to make sure to very clearly and deliberately announce the count more often, especially when you hit "two balls". Kind of makes it hard for the batter to say, "I thought it was ball four", and kind of builds the case for it being deliberate if she heads to first base on ball three.

IMO, if the defense doesn't know how to play the game, they get what they deserve. Another case of NFHS protecting the dumb from themselves.

after the first TWO if I suspected deliberate.
If the DC complained, ignored.

Good advice about the count, but normally not after only a 2 ball; only if suspicious.

I want to be there when the defense puts one of them out. :D :cool:

Mistakes happen. But there is a line with respect to sportsmanship.