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Please post any questions about rules or calls

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Hit By Pitch

We had a player that hit the dirt for a poorly thrown pitch and as he hit the ground he instinctively put his hand up to defend his face.  The ball hit his hand.  The call was that he would NOT be awarded a base, since he intentionally put his hand up.  I cannot find anything in the rule books on this play.  Can you clarify

This would be up to the umpire to call this one the way he sees it

Courtesy Runners

It has come to my attention that some coaches don't understand the courtesy runner rules. We follow WIAA & NFHS rules on this one. Please understand that some tournaments write there own rules for the tournaments on this rule and it is not the same. Here is the rule right out of the BOOK Speed up rules 5/20/10

Ending a game

If a game is called due to darkness after the 5th inning is it a complete game or is it to be finished at a later date?

All game that are not completed shall be suspended and resumed at a later date.

Ball thrown out of play by the pitcher

In addition, can you clarify the bases awarded rule in the event that a ball goes out of play.  We had an instance where there was a pick off play at first base and the ball was missed by our first baseman and went out of play (quickly).  The opposing coach argued that the runner should be awarded third base.  The umpires ruled that the runner should be awarded second base.  The opposing coach threatened to protest the game over the call.  I understood that in the event of an out of play ball, the runner is awarded the base he is going to, plus 1.  In this case, the player was diving back to first base to avoid the pick off.  I believe the umpires were correct in that the player was awarded the base he was going to (first) plus one (second).  

This rule has been going around all spring. If the pitcher throws to a base with his pivot foot on the pitchers rubber and throws the ball out of play the runners will be awarded 1 base, if the pitcher steps off the rubber and throws the ball out of play the award will be 2 bases. see the case book ruling Rule