Calling IP

[marvin]

Originally Posted by umpire george

I'm probably missing something somewhere, but where in the NFHS Rule book does it state the option is removed if the ball isn't hit fair or foul or the batter becomes a base runner?
Just asking, don't mean to get anybody angry.

In NFHS the option does not go away if the ball is not hit by the batter, it exists only IF the ball is hit.

6-2-2 penalty exception:

EXCEPTION: If the pitcher completes the delivery of the ball to the batter and the batter hits the ball fair or foul, or becomes a base runner, the coach of the team at bat shall have the option of the result of the play or the penalty for an illegal pitch. A delayed dead ball will be signaled by the umpire by extending the left arm horizontally.

The quote is from the 2011 rule book as I don't have the 2012 book in pdf form.

The 2011 case book has this play:

6.2.2 SITUATION D: (F.P.) With R1 on third and R2 on first, B3 hits an illegal pitch to deep left-center field. R1 scores, R2 reaches third and B3 stops at first.
RULING: Even though B3 reached first base safely and R1 and R2 advanced at least one base, the coach of the team at bat has the option of the play or the penalty since B3 hit an illegal pitch. (6-2-2 Penalty Exception)

Which shows that the batter reaching base does not negate the option, if the batter reached on a play where the ball was hit.

The play that is put forth as an argument for the offense to always have the option is on a wild pitch/passed ball with runners on second and third. The batting team is down by one run. The catcher retrieves the ball and makes a bad throw allowing both runners to score, putting the team at bat ahead. If the pitch was an illegal pitch only one runner can score in NFHS, since the ball was not hit. The defense in effect benefits from violating a rule.