A dead-ball appeal may be made by:

• A. A coach.
• B. A defensive player with or without the ball.
• C. A dead-ball appeal is not possible by rule.
• D. Both A & B.

Answer: (D)

Dead-ball appeals are the way to challenge a baserunning or base-touch infraction after the ball is dead. In NFHS baseball, the appeal can be initiated by either the defensive player or the coach, as long as the ball is dead. This gives the defending team, and its coaching staff, a formal chance to have an infraction reviewed without interfering with live play.

For example, if a runner missed touching a base, a defensive player can bring the appeal to the umpire once the ball is dead, or the coach can signal the appeal to the umpire. Because both avenues are allowed, the correct choice is that a coach and a defensive player may both make a dead-ball appeal. The other options either limit who can appeal or incorrectly state that such appeals aren’t permitted.