Leaving field of play

[AtlUmpSteve]

Much as I would also like the out, the rules cited do not apply. The rules calling a player out for abandonment, or leaving the field of play, NFHS 8-6.21, refers only to a runner; the batter with two strikes has not become a runner. NFHS Rule 8-2.4 states a batter-runner would be out if entering a team area after a batted fair ball, a base on balls, a hit batter, a dropped third strike, or catcher obstruction. Unfortunately, a batter with two strikes has not become a batter-runner, nor has any of the qualifiers occurred.

Unless I am missing something, the only rule in Rule 7 (Batting) which might then apply is leaving the batters box and delaying the game, at the risk of a penalty strike. However, that would be really pushing the issue; I couldn't see invoking that rule unless the batter (or team) had been warned multiple times for delay.