State Interp on NFHS Physical Assistance Rule

[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:

Rule: 3-5-4
ART. 4 . . . A coach shall not physically assist a runner during playing action.
PENALTY: (Art. 4) The runner is out and the ball is in play. (8-6-5)

Rule: 8-6-5
A runner is out when:
ART. 5 . . . Any offensive team member, other than another runner, physically assists the runner.
PENALTY: (Arts. 1 through 5) The ball is in play and the runner is out.

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.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Manny A

he said that an out is ruled when a runner is physically assisted at any time, whether the ball is live or dead. .

I know it was baseball but the 1B coach grabbed McGwire when he missed 1B on one of his record-setting HRs.

CSFP says it doesn't matter with a dead ball as no advantage is gained. I don't think any rule actually specify the live/dead aspect though.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

I know it was baseball but the 1B coach grabbed McGwire when he missed 1B on one of his record-setting HRs.

CSFP says it doesn't matter with a dead ball as no advantage is gained. I don't think any rule actually specify the live/dead aspect though.

Unfortunately unlike baseball, softball umpires don't all believe in using CSFP to make calls. They pretty much expect everything to be cited in a rulebook, case play, or some other authoritative interpretation. And deviating from what is written in the name of CSFP is met with calls of an umpire being rogue and wanting to put themselves above the game.

This is a USA Softball (ASA at the time) case play that came out in May 2010:

Play: (Fast Pitch) with one out B2 hits an over the fence home run. While rounding 1B the runner stumbles and appears to have been injured. The first base coach (a) rushes on to the field to make sure B2 is ok. While checking the player for injuries the coach directs B2 back to 1B because they missed the base or (b) after B2 gets up and continues to 2B, the coach sprints onto the field, grabs B2 and tells B2 to come back to touch 1B.

Ruling: Rule 8 Section 7E addresses an offensive team member other than a runner that physically assists a runner while the ball is live. There is also an exception for when a runner scores and misses home plate.

An over the fence home run considered, by definition of a Dead Ball, as a ball that is not in play. We have other rules that apply when runners must run the bases on over the fence home runs.

A home run awards the batter 4 bases without liability to be put out except under appeal or protest. In the case of (a) once the coach came onto the field to check a possible injured play the umpire should call time to see if the player needed to be replaced. (Rule 4, Section 10) If the coach helps the player up and directs them to touch first base again there is not violation of the rules. In (b) the coach specifically went onto the field to grab the runner and assisted B2 in returning to touch 1B. In doing so the coach has taken away the ability of the defense to appeal the runner for missing 1B and therefore should be called out for a violation of Rule 8 Section 7E.

So under USA rules, they believe (and I agree) that when a base coach or other team member other than a fellow runner assists a runner during a dead ball and, as a result, takes away the defense's opportunity to appeal a missed base, this is a form of illegal physical assistance that would result in an out. According to my state interpreter, the same would be the case in NFHS play.

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

I know it was baseball but the 1B coach grabbed McGwire when he missed 1B on one of his record-setting HRs.

CSFP says it doesn't matter with a dead ball as no advantage is gained. I don't think any rule actually specify the live/dead aspect though.

What is CSFP?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

What is CSFP?

"Common Sense and Fair Play". It's a phrase used by many baseball umpires to make a ruling that otherwise would be considered a ruthless enforcement of a rule. Another phrase they use is "call with the book, not by the book."

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

"Common Sense and Fair Play". It's a phrase used by many baseball umpires to make a ruling that otherwise would be considered a ruthless enforcement of a rule. Another phrase they use is "call with the book, not by the book."

Which can create an inconsistent enforcement of the rules

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Which can create an inconsistent enforcement of the rules

R1 is tripped by F6 while rounding 2B on a gapper, breaking a leg on the fall. Tagged out on the relay while lying on the ground in pain.

What do you do and what rule(s) do you use?


R1 trips over 2B while rounding 2B on a hit up the middle, breaking a leg on the fall. F8 throws her glove at and it contacts the ball. R1 is tagged out on the relay while lying on the ground in pain.

What do you do and what rule(s) do you use?

[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.