State Interp on NFHS Physical Assistance Rule

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Been having a long-term debate with other umpires about the NFHS rule regarding physical assistance of a base runner. Two rules in the book address this:

3-5-4, 8-6-5

Because both rules specify that the ball is still in play, some umpires felt that the violation may occur only when the ball is live. They didn't believe a coach or other team member who physically assists a runner when the ball was dead (e.g., BR hits a home run, misses first base as she's rounding the bases, and the first base coach chases her down, grabs her and send her back to touch first) was a violation.

I asked our state interpreter for his take, and he said that an out is ruled when a runner is physically assisted at any time, whether the ball is live or dead. It would be nice if there's language in the rule book or casebook that says this.

I would interpret these as the ball remains live for further play if live at the time.
Given the lack of completeness in a lot of rules; especially those added because of an issue; no reason to think the HR example is not an out, just as it would be if the runner continued with a missed base.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I would interpret these as the ball remains live for further play if live at the time.
Given the lack of completeness in a lot of rules; especially those added because of an issue; no reason to think the HR example is not an out, just as it would be if the runner continued with a missed base.

And yet during a discussion in one of the FB groups, a lot of umpires believed that there cannot be a physical assistance violation when the ball is dead. It's what prompted me to reach out to my state interpreter for his take.