Are pop-up slides permitted in high school?

The pop up slide is legal, but if the runner interferes (not necessarily physical contact) with the fielders ability to make the play, that is interference. Intent in high school does not matter like it does in MLB.

More high school coaches should not only teach players how to slide, but also inform players of rules like this.

I like the way the rule is administered at the high school level. Safety is key at the level and it is important to learn to play the game the right and safe way.

In high school baseball, the pop-up slide is generally legal, but it becomes illegal if runner executes a pop-up slide and makes contact with a fielder and/or interferes with a fielder’s attempt to make a play.  Typically, this occurs at 2nd base – the defense is attempting to turn a double play, and R1 executes a pop-up slide to try to “break it up.”  If R1’s pop-up slide makes contact with or interferes with the fielder, he has violated the Force Play Slide Rule.  R1 would be ruled out, and the B/R would also be ruled out.  I think that’s what you’re getting at, Chris.  In High School baseball, it is illegal to break up a double play with a pop-up slide.

NFHS Rule 2 Section 32 Article 2 – A slide is illegal if:  (a) the runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide into the fielder.

Pop-up slides are never legal in high school although enforcement of an illegal slide is only in connection with contact or influence of a defender.  This does most often occur at second base in connection with a force play slide situation, however, it can happen at any base at any time where a play is being made.

NFHS Rule 8 Section 4 Article 2 : Any runner is out when he: (b) does not legally slide and causes illegal contact and/or illegally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play, or on a force play, does not slide in a direct line between the bases.

NFHS Rule 8 Section 4 Article 2 (b) (2): Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal.

The pop-up verbiage is not included in rule books for NCAA or OBR so this ruling is different at the high school level whose governing body puts a heightened emphasis on player safety.