Walk the Plank 2012 Situations


A. When a new pitcher starts to throw from the rubber, must he pitch to at least one batter or retire the side?

Call
If the coach has announced the change to the UIC then, yes, the new pitcher must now pitch. If unannounced, the new pitcher is only required to pitch if the ball has been made live by the plate umpire.


B. When does a batter abandon his effort to go to first after a dropped third strike?

Call
In NFHS, when the batter enters the dugout, he has abandoned his attempt at first base and is out.


C. Must a base coach keep one foot in the coaches box?

Call
Technically yes, but the practical application is as long as the base coaches do not move close enough to fair territory to impact a play, he may be out of the box. If either coach or umpire has a concern/complaint, you should enforce the rule that both coaches for both teams should remain in the coach boxes (except to move to allow the defense to make a play).


D. After a batter-runner overruns first on an infield hit, if he returns to first in fair territory, is he at risk of being tagged out?

Call
No, he can return to first base in fair territory without risk. He is only at risk if he attempts (or fakes) an advance to 2nd base.


E. Must a coach pre-announce batting, fielding, and pitching changes?

Call
Yes, but there is no penalty if they don't (so I guess they really do not have to).


F. Runner on third and first and no outs. The batter grounds to shortstop, who throws to second for an out, but the runner at second "takes out" the second baseman to break up the double play. The runner from third scores.

Call
Both the runner going to second and the batter-runner are out. The runner at that started at third is returned to third.


G. With no outs and the runner on first stealing, the runner is nearly at 2nd base as the catcher drops the third strike. Is the batter automatically out?

Call

Yes, first base was occupied at the time of the pitch.


H. Must the plate umpire make the ball live to start each inning?

Call
Yes, by pointing to the pitcher and calling "play". Also, do the same after every foul ball, coach's visit, exchange of baseballs, etc.