Rule 3 – Section 3 – BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT

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Rule 3 – Section 3 – BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT

3-3-1   A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:

a. leave the dugout during a live ball for an unauthorized purpose;

b. fake a tag without the ball;

c. carelessly throw a bat;

d. wear jewelry (players participating in the game) or wear bandannas;

e. hit the ball to players on defense after the game has started;

PENALTY: At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected, where the coach shall be ejected. In (b), it is also obstruction (8-3-2).

f. commit any unsportsmanlike act to include, but not limited to,

    1. use of words or actions to incite or attempt to incite spectators demonstrations,
    2. use of profanity, intimidation tactics, remarks reflecting unfavorably upon any other person, or taunting or baiting. The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting.
    3. use of any language intended to intimidate,
    4. behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play;
    5. being in live ball territory (excluding team’s bullpen area) during the opponent’s infield practice prior to the start of the game.
    6. any member of the coaching staff who was not the head coach (or designee) in 3-2-4 leaves the vicinity of the dugout or coaching box to dispute a judgment call by an umpire.
    7. Confronting or directing unsportsmanlike conduct to the umpires after the game has concluded and until the umpires have departed the game site.

g. enter the area behind the catcher while the opposing pitcher and catcher are in their positions;

h. use of any object in the coach’s box other than a stopwatch, rule book (hard copy), scorebook;

i. be outside the designated dugout (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on defense;

j. charge an umpire;

k. use amplifiers or bullhorns for coaching purposes during the course of the game;

PENALTY: The umpire shall warn the offender unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case an ejection shall occur. A warning may be verbal or written. If written, the offender shall be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. If a coach has previously received a verbal warning, he shall receive a written warning (10-2-3j) and be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. If a coach has previously received a written warning, he shall be ejected for any subsequent offense. Any offense judged to be major in nature shall result in an immediate ejection.

For coaches who violate f(1-5)ghij, or k, the umpire may (1) issue a verbal warning to the offender, (2) issue a written warning to the offender (any offender receiving a written warning shall be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game, or (3)eject the offender for a major offense. For violation of f(6), both the head coach and the offending coach shall receive a written warning and be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game unless the offense is so severe the umpire may eject the offender and restrict or eject the head coach. A coach may leave the bench/dugout to attend to a player who becomes ill or injured. In f(7), the state association shall determine appropriate action.

l. deliberately throw a bat, helmet, etc.;

m. initiate malicious contact on offense or defense;

n. call “Time” or use any command or commit any act for the purpose of causing a balk; or

o. use tobacco or tobacco-like products within the confines of the field;

p. leave their positions or bench area for the purpose of fighting or physical confrontation.

q. have physical contact, spit, kick dirt or engage in any other physical action directed toward an umpire.

PENALTY: The umpire shall eject the offender from the game. Failure to comply shall result in game being forfeited. In (m), the ball is immediately dead, if on offense, the player is ejected and declared out, unless he has already scored. If the defense commits the malicious contact, the player is ejected; the umpire shall rule either safe or out on the play and award the runner(s) the appropriate base(s) he felt they would have obtained if the malicious contact had not occurred. In (p), a coach who attempts to prevent a fight or restore order is not in violation of the rule.

3-3-2   A coach who is ejected shall leave the vicinity of the playing area immediately and is prohibited from further contact, direct or indirect, with the team during the remainder of the game. He may return when requested to attend to an ill or injured player.

3-3-3   Players loosening up to bat shall remain in the area of their team’s on-deck circle while the pitcher is warming up (1-2-3).

PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved. The next offender on that team shall be ejected.

3-3-4   Whenever team members are loosening up in an area which is not protected by a fence or other structure, another member of the team with a glove must be positioned between them and the batter to protect them from a batted or thrown ball within the confines of the playing field. No one is to interfere with a live ball.

October 6, 2019
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