NFHS CASES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024

NFHS CASES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024 1.1.2 SITUATION A: During the pregame conference, head coaches of Team A and Team B hand in their lineup cards to the umpire-in-chief. Team A's starting players as well as all eligible substitutes are listed on the lineup card properly, but Team B's lineup card lists only starting players. During the first inning, Team B wishes to pinch hit with a substitute player who is not listed on the lineup card. - ANSWER RULING: The name and the shirt number of each eligible substitute shall be listed. The plate umpire accepts Team B's lineup card but encourages the head coach to list the eligible substitutes. Later, if Team B wishes to substitute a player who was not listed on the lineup card, it may do so without penalty. 1.1.2 SITUATION B: Team A's JV team has returned to join the varsity team during the sixth inning of the varsity game. A member of Team A's JV team attempts to enter the game as a pinch runner, but Team B's coach notices that Team A's JV player was not listed on the starting lineup card and argues he should not be allowed to enter the game. - ANSWER RULING: There is no penalty if the names are not listed on the lineup card. However, it is suggested that all players who might possibly enter the game be listed with their proper names and shirt numbers. 1.1.2 SITUATION C: Team A's head coach in the third inning wants to substitute a player who is not on the original lineup card. - ANSWER RULING: There is no penalty if a coach wants to substitute a player whose name was not listed as a substitute on the lineup card. However, to help improve the pace of the game, all known substitutes, with their name and shirt number, shall be listed on the lineup card submitted at the pregame conference. 1.1.3 SITUATION: F4, Brown, listed in the batting order as wearing uniform No. 4, is wearing No. 21. After reaching base in the third inning, defensive coach appeals to the umpire that Brown is batting out of order. - ANSWER RULING: While Brown is in technical violation of the rule that requires that player's name, shirt number and position be on the lineup card, there is no penalty, since the batting-out-of-order rule requires only that the name be in the proper order. If the number was correct but the player batting was not Brown, the batting-out-of-order penalty would be imposed. Listing of both numbers and positions provides easier recordkeeping for scorekeepers and umpires. 1.1.4 SITUATION: With R1 on first, (a) F9 cuts in behind R1 for a throw from F1, who is in contact with the pitcher's plate, and receives a pickoff throw in foul territory; or (b) F3 has one foot in foul territory when he receives a pickoff throw; or (c) F3, in contact with the base, has one foot in foul territory as the throw is received. - ANSWER RULING: Legal in (a), (b) and (c). In (a), since F1 had not committed himself to pitch to the batter, the play is legal. In (a), (b), and (c) F3 is permitted to have a foot in foul territory, even at the time of the pitch. COMMENT: Rule 1-1-4 requires all defensive players except the catcher to be in fair territory at the time of the pitch. By definition and interpretation, at least one foot must be in fair territory to comply with this rule. 1.2.2 SITUATION A: Team A has constructed a new baseball field that has sports/field turf for the playing surface. The lines of the new field are "marked" in the school's official colors: black and red. - ANSWER RULING: This is legal since these lines are permanent. 1.2.2 SITUATION B: Team A has marked its foul lines with (a) maroon colored chalk, (b) a fire-hose painted maroon, or (c) wood 2 x 4s painted maroon. - ANSWER RULING: Illegal in (a); legal in (b) and (c) because these markings would be considered permanent in nature. COMMENT: Even though illegal in (a), the game will be played as scheduled. However, Team A should be informed that this is not a legal manner in which the lines shall be marked and the state association needs to be notified of this violation. 1.2.4 SITUATION A: Team A has small dugouts at its baseball field. In an effort to accommodate the teams, Team A uses chalk to draw temporary lines which extend parallel with the foul line and toward the outfield. - ANSWER RULING: This is legal. 1.2.4 SITUATION B: Team A increases the size of the dugouts at its field by installing permanent railings or walls in front of each dugout. The new structures are closer to the foul lines and home plate. - ANSWER RULING: This is legal. The rule does not pertain to permanent structures. 1.2.4 SITUATION C: Team A extends its dugout parallel to the foul line and toward the outfield but does not do the same for the visitor's dugout. - ANSWER RULING: This is illegal. The expansion of the dugout must be equally applied. If Team A is unable to extend the visitor's dugout, it cannot extend its own. 1.2.4 SITUATION D: In constructing new dugouts, the home team extends both facilities equal distance down both foul lines toward the outfield. - ANSWER RULING: This is appropriate. 1.2.7 SITUATION: The home team's coach purchases a commercially manufactured pitcher's mound pad for his field. The visiting team's coach protests the game because his pitchers are not accustomed to pitching on the artificial surface. - ANSWER RULING: The mound is legal if it meets the specifications under Rule 1-2-7. The protest would be invalid. 1.2.8 SITUATION A: During the game, a photographer positions himself in foul territory beyond first base to take pictures. The umpire tells him he must return to dead-ball territory. The photographer says that he would prefer that the umpire designate an area in live-ball territory for him to shoot. - ANSWER RULING: If an area has not been established for the media prior to the game, then the media shall not be