When is a runner deemed abandoning the bases in NFHS?

[JohnnyG]

I understand a runner abandons their effort to advance on 3rd strike not caught when he enters the dugout, or (with two outs) before all fielders leave the diamond. Is there anything about abandoning the bases? I know there is out of the baseline when there is a play, but what if there is no play and the runner thinks they are out and starts to jog off the infield toward the dugout?

[SH0102]

It’s when , in your judgment, they have abandoned their efforts to run the bases. For me, direction and intent (what you perceive as intent) matter.

Ex: Runner on first 2 outs, fly ball, it isn’t caught but he thinks it is.  He rounded second during hit (went on contact) and turns to run back to first base dugout. He’s out as soon as you perceive he has abandoned running.  If his dugout was third base side, he’s probably not “showing his cards/intent” as early bc he’s still heading towards third.

it really boils down to when you believe they have abandoned their efforts to run the bases. It’s fairly obvious when they’re near the lines bc they’re running in foul ground towards dugout, middle of Diamond is more to process.

There was a video from last year, albeit college, where batter hit a HR but thought it was caught. He was halfway between first and second and peeled left into grass. He realized near mound (prob had coaches yelling) and tried to turn back but umpires already nailed him. He had clearly abandoned base running believing he was out.

[The Man in Blue]

NFHS 8-4-2p

Any runner is out when he:

p. after at least touching first base, leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base; or

NOTE: Any runner, after reaching first base, who leaves the baseline heading for the dugout or his defensive position believing that there is no further play, shall be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases.

My follow up question ... I know the rule on an uncaught third strike stipulates he has to enter the dugout area.  Why the difference?

 

[DevildogUmp]

Because the Fed interpretation is that a prior to obtaining 1st base, a BR cannot be considered abandoning his attempt until he enters deadball territory.

2023 Rules Interpretation Situation 11 : The batter hits a fly ball to deep right field, which the batter believes is caught and turns and heads to the dugout. Halfway to the dugout, bench personnel get the batter-runner to realize the ball is in play and the batter-runner begins to advance. The defensive head coach tells the umpires that the batter-runner should be declared out since the batter-runner “abandoned” the effort to advance. RULING: The batter-runner has not abandoned the effort and may begin to advance. As on a dropped third strike, the batter-runner is not considered to have abandoned the effort until the batter-runner enters the bench or dugout area. (8-4-1i

[The Man in Blue]

That just restates the rule and provides an example.  It's not an interpretation, it is in the actual rules.

I'm asking what is the philosophy for the difference between the two in the rules.

A baserunner abandons as soon as he leaves his "baseline" (*cringe*) which is a line between him and the base (I'll use that liberally).  A potential-batter runner can traipse all the way back to his dugout (possibly in the opposite direction) but we allow him to remain in play.  I don't have any strong preference one way or the other, I just think it should be consistent -- either the batter runner should be out once he does not advance or the base runner should have more leeway. 

This leads me to this: a smart coach with a runner on third would coach his batter on an uncaught third strike to retreat towards the dugout (but don't enter it), forcing a throw to first base.

[JSam21]

22 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

NFHS 8-4-2p

Any runner is out when he:

p. after at least touching first base, leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base; or

NOTE: Any runner, after reaching first base, who leaves the baseline heading for the dugout or his defensive position believing that there is no further play, shall be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases.

My follow up question ... I know the rule on an uncaught third strike stipulates he has to enter the dugout area.  Why the difference?

 

One of two reasons... 1) Not every school has a "dirt circle" around home plate or 2) NFHS likes to take judgment out of everything that they can because of the widely varying levels of players and officials.