Under NFHS rules, which action would typically result in a no-pitch or award of bases to runners?

Under NFHS rules, which action would typically result in a no-pitch or award of bases to runners?

• A. Balk
• B. Ground rule double
• C. Foul ball
• D. Foul tip

Answer: (A)

A balk is a dead ball caused by an illegal motion by the pitcher with runners on base. The ball is not pitched, so it’s considered a no-pitch situation, and the runners are awarded one base each. That’s why this action routinely results in a no-pitch and bases being advanced for the runners. In contrast, a ground rule double is a live ball that becomes a two-base hit (the batter and all runners advance accordingly)—not a no-pitch. A foul ball stays in play and does not automatically award bases, and a foul tip is ruled as a strike (and, if caught, is treated as a strike with no base advancement unless the strike would end the at-bat).

A balk is a dead ball caused by an illegal motion by the pitcher with runners on base. The ball is not pitched, so it’s considered a no-pitch situation, and the runners are awarded one base each. That’s why this action routinely results in a no-pitch and bases being advanced for the runners.

In contrast, a ground rule double is a live ball that becomes a two-base hit (the batter and all runners advance accordingly)—not a no-pitch. A foul ball stays in play and does not automatically award bases, and a foul tip is ruled as a strike (and, if caught, is treated as a strike with no base advancement unless the strike would end the at-bat).