Colorado Rules
by State Association Adoption
(updated 2/1/2024)

The NFHS Rules Book delegates authority to the state associations for certain rules. The following shall apply in Colorado.

1-2-8 Media Area – Formal media areas will not be established.
     a. Media personnel are anyone with a camera or a member of the media who the plate umpire approves to be on the field.
           1. For playoff games, only credentialed media will be allowed on the field.
           2. For regular season games, it is the plate umpire’s discretion to determine who to allow on the field. Such personnel must be mobile and must stay against the fence. For non-compliance, they may be asked to leave.
      b. Anyone who intentionally interferes shall be removed from the confines of field and reported to CHSAA via the game report. Subsequent violators shall be banned from CHSAA events for the remainder of the season.
      c.  If the media are authorized by the UIC to be on the field:
           1. Any intentional act is spectator interference;
           2. If the ball does not touch anything it remains live and in play.
           3. If the ball touches anything, it is dead and the appropriate award is made.
      d.  If the media are not authorized by the UIC to be on the field, treat it as spectator interference.

1-2-9 Double First Base – Not allowed.

1-3-1 Baseballs – The NOCSAE baseball must be used for all varsity games. Any NFHS baseball may be used for sub varsity play.

1-4-4 Commemorative Patches – Must be requested of CHSAA on a case-by-case basis. These may not exceed 4 square inches.

1-5-10 Player Equipment for Unusual Weather Conditions – For high wind conditions, the pitcher may remove his hat; a pitcher shall not be required to tape or wrap his hat to his head. For exceptionally cold days, players other than the pitcher and batter may wear a jacket.

2-33-1 Speed-up Rules -
   a. Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher may be used to include the player/DH, if used.
   b. Teams may huddle outside the dugout before coming to bat, but may not huddle before taking the field.
   c. After the pitcher completes his warm-ups, players may not huddle at the mound.

3-2-1Coaches Uniform - Reasonable accommodations consistent with the team uniform are allowed (3.2.1E). Umpires should refer questionable cases to their Area Director for resolution with CHSAA.

3-3-1f7 Post Game Unsportsmanlike Conduct – In situations where coaches confront or direct unsportsmanlike actions to the umpires after the game has concluded and until the umpires have departed the game site, CHSAA will review on a case-by-case basis and determine the appropriate action in conjunction with the school. Such incidents shall be included in the game report.

4-1-3 The plate umpire shall annotate the lineup card in the upper right corner with the type of lineup being used as follows:
    A. Straight Nine
    B. Standard DH
    C. Player/DH

4-2-2 Mercy Rule for all regular season and playoff games –    
   a. The game shall end when the visiting team is behind 20 or more runs after 2 ½ innings, or if either team is ahead by 20 or more runs after the third inning;
   b. The game shall end when the visiting team is behind 15 or more runs after 3 ½ innings, or if either team is ahead by after the fourth inning;
   c. The game shall end when the visiting team is behind 10 or more runs after 4 ½ innings, or after the fifth inning, if either team is ahead by 10 runs in an equal number of innings.

4-2-4 Game Ending Procedure –
Regular Season Games: In the following three situations, any game which is terminated by darkness, rain or other cause will be considered a suspended game and shall continue from that point of suspension at the earliest time possible:
    (a) Before it is a regulation game, or
    (b) After it is a regulation game, and
         (1) It is tied, or
         (2) An inning is in progress and before the inning is completed, the visiting team has scored one or more runs to take the lead, and the home team has not retaken the lead.However, any remaining play may be shortened or terminated by mutual agreement of the opposing coaches.

Post Season Games: All games will be played to their conclusion in seven innings unless the mercy rule comes into effect or extra innings are needed. All suspended games at the district, regional and state level shall be completed from the point of suspension to the conclusion of the contest at the earliest time possible. NOTE: In all cases, the pitches thrown count toward the maximum number of pitches allowed.

Sub Varsity Games: Sub varsity games will have a two-hour max. No new innings after the two-hour time limit. This applies to all games (doubleheader, single game, etc.). Adopted by the baseball committee 4/22 for the 20234 season.
Varsity Tournament Games: If time limits are part of the tournament structure, all schools, athletic directors and coaches who participate have given tacit approval for the stated time limit. Any subsequent change to the time limit must be approved by both coaches.

4-3-1a Tie Game – See 4-2-4 above.

4-4-1a Forfeit – If a team is late arriving, umpires must wait at least 30 minutes before leaving the game site unless they have confirmed the team will not show. Umpires shall not declare a forfeit for late arrival or for a team not showing. That decision is subject to league policy.

4-5-1 Protests – Protests are not allowed.

6-1-6 Pitching Restriction- Umpires are not responsible for enforcing the CHSAA policy regarding pitch counts.

2/1/24