NFHS Short-handed Scenario

[CecilOne]

ATAIK, there is no place in the NFHS book that says a team may play shorthanded or defines it or explains the conditions.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

ATAIK, there is no place in the NFHS book that says a team may play shorthanded or defines it or explains the conditions.

Rule: 3-3-8

ART. 8 . . . If a team is playing with 9 (F.P.), 10 (S.P. or F. P. if DP/FLEX is used), or 11 (S.P. if an EP is used) and there are no available substitutes when a runner advancing on an awarded base or after reaching base is unable to continue:

a. The previous batter not on base is allowed to replace that player as a temporary runner until she is put out, scores or the half-inning ends.

b. When the player who could not continue is scheduled to bat, an out shall be called.

c. When the half-inning ends and the team assumes a defensive position, refer to 4-3-1g.

d. Once a team has gone short-handed and another eligible player is available, that player may fill the empty space in the lineup.

[BretMan]

And here:

(4-3-1) . . . A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team:

a. is late in appearing or in beginning play after the umpire calls "Play Ball." State associations are authorized to specify the time frame and/or circumstances before a forfeit will be declared for a late arrival by one of the teams.

b. refuses to continue play after the game has started.

c. delays more than one minute in resuming play after the umpire calls "Play Ball" or in obeying the umpire's order to remove a player or coach for violation of the rules.

d. persists in tactics designed to delay or shorten the game.

e. willfully and persistently violates any one of the rules after being warned by the umpire.

f. cannot provide 9 players (F. P.), 10 players (S.P.) or 11 players (S.P. if an EP is used) to start the game.

g. cannot provide 8 players (F.P.), 9 players (S.P.) or 10 players (S.P. if an EP is used) in the batting order to finish the game. An out is called in that spot of the batting order (7-4-1). If that player has safely reached base, then the most recent batter not on base is allowed to run for that player, until that player is put out, scores, or the half-inning ends.

h. on its home field, fails to comply with the umpire's order to put the field in condition for play.

[UmpireErnie]

It's funny you mention this as a buddy and me were discussing this same rule last night. He had an interesting scenario working a JV game a week or so ago..

Offensive coach calls time and approaches PU. "We've got a problem. Our next batter got hit by a pitch in last game and now is afraid to get in the batters box. We don't have any more subs."

I swear I'm not making this up!

PU just let the team take an out basically letting the team drop to 8 players. It was the last half inning so he never had to deal with allowing the frightened batter to play defense later but we felt under NFHS she could return and would be considered out of the game one time.

Or I suppose we could just call three penalty strikes for delay and say that she never left the game.

[chapmaja]

IIRC we had a discussion about this last season for one of my games.

The situation, as I remember it, which may not be great was this.

Team starts the game with only 9 players. During the game one of the defensive players is leaving the dugout and I (as PU) notice she has an earring in.

We inform the coach that the player may not participate with the offending equipment in. She can not immediately remove the earring. As a result they are forced to play with only 8 players legally available. After the inning, or a couple innings, the player is finally able to remove the item and re-enters the game.

IIRC the ruling was that her coming back into the game was her reentry for the game, but she could reenter. We also issued a warning to the coach (at the time the infraction was found) that the next player illegally attired would be restricted.