From the NFHS Rule Book and Case Book, should clear up any misconceptions and give you some interesting reading. The case book plays are examples of many situations that can occur and the resulting ruling.
ART. 1 . . . A runner scores one run each time he legally advances to and touches first, second, third and then home plate before there are three outs to end the inning.
EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home plate during action in which the third out is made as follows:
a. by the batter-runner before he touches first base; or
b. by another runner being forced out; or
c. by a preceding runner who is declared out upon appeal because he failed to touch one of the bases or left a base too soon on a caught fly ball; or
d. when a third out is declared during a play resulting from a valid defensive appeal, which results in a force out (this out takes precedence if enforcement of it would negate a score); or
e. when there is more than one out declared by the umpire which terminates the half inning, the defensive team may select the out which is to its advantage as in
2-20-2. Credit the putout to the nearest designated baseman.
Case Book Plays
9.1.1 SITUATION A:
R1 is on second and R2 on first with one out. B4 hits a long fly that appears to be uncatchable, but is caught by F8. R1 advances home but misses third base. R2 fails to retouch first base and advances to third base.
RULING: Upon proper appeal, the umpire will rule both R1 and R2 out for failing to touch third base and retouching first base, respectively. The defensive team is allowed to select the out that is to its advantage. Defense selects R1's out and cancels his run. (8-2-1 Penalty)
9.1.1 SITUATION B:
With one out, R1 is on third and R2 is on second base when B4 hits a long fly ball that is caught by F8. R1 remains in contact with his base but R2 has nearly advanced to third. The throw to F4 arrives at second base ahead of R2's return.
RULING: R2 is out for the third out. If R1 scored before R2 was retired, the run counts. The inning ended with a play in which the third out was not a force out.
9.1.1 SITUATION C:
With two outs and R1, R2 and R3 on base, B6 receives a fourth ball. R3 touches second and is then tagged off base for the third out before R1 has reached home base.
RULING: R1 became entitled to home base as soon as the fourth ball was declared. Consequently, his run scores.
9.1.1 SITUATION D:
With two outs and R1 on first, B4 hits next pitch for an inside-the-park home run. In circling the bases, B4 misses second.
RULING: When all action stops, upon appeal, the umpire will rule B4 out for failing to touch second base. The run scored by R1 will count. Had the infraction been the missing of first base and B4 ruled out, the run by R1 would be canceled. (8-2-1)
9.1.1 SITUATION E:
With two outs, R1 on third base and R2 on first base, B5 receives a fourth ball. An overthrow at third permits R1 to reach home. In advancing (a) R2 fails to touch second or (b) B5 goes to second base but fails to touch first base.
RULING: Upon appeal, the umpire will rule R2 out for failing to touch second base in (a) and B5 out for failing to touch first base in (b). The run by R1 will not count in either case. (8-2-1 Penalty)
9.1.1 SITUATION F:
With R1, R2 and R3 on third, second and first, respectively, B5 hits a fly ball to F8 for the second out. All base runners tag up and try to advance one base. F8's throw to F5 retires R2 for the third out, but after R1 has scored. R3 did not tag up and was detected leaving first base early, and at the conclusion of all action, upon appeal, the umpire declares R3 out (fourth out). Does the run by R1 count?
RULING: The only time a fourth (or fifth) out would take precedence is if it negates a score(s). In the above case the fourth out would not negate R1's run, because R3's out was not a force out.
9.1.1 SITUATION G:
R1 is on third with two outs and two strikes on B4. As F1 winds up, R1 starts to steal home. B4 swings at the ball but misses. Catcher drops ball. While he is looking for the ball, R1 crosses home plate, after which the catcher recovers the ball and throws B4 out at first. Does the run score?
RULING: No. The batter-runner made the third out without reaching first base safely.
9.1.1 SITUATION H:
With R1 on third base, R2 on second base and R3 on first base and one out, B5 hits safely to right field. R1 scores, R2 misses third base and scores and R3 is thrown out at third base. At the end of playing action, time is called, the defense makes a proper appeal and the umpire declares R2 out. How many runs score?
RULING: No runs score since the putout of R2 at third base was a force out and also the third out of the inning. (9-1-1d)
9.1.1 SITUATION I:
With the bases loaded and one out, B5 hits a line drive to the right field fence. R1 and R2 score. R3 is thrown out at the plate. B5 goes to third but misses first.
RULING: Upon appeal, B5's out for missing first was the third out. No runs scored.
COMMENT: No runs can score if the third out is a force out or if the batter does not reach first. (8-2-6k Penalty)
9.1.1 SITUATION J:
With R1 on second, B2 hits a fly ball to F8. R1 fails to tag second after the catch and goes to third. At the conclusion of all play the umpire declares R1 out for leaving early. Which defensive player receives the putout for R1?
RULING: Credit the putout to the nearest designated baseman, who in this case will be F4. (9-5-2c)
9.1.1 SITUATION L:
With the bases loaded and one out, B5 hits a home run out of the park. While advancing to second base, B5 passes R3 (force is removed) and B5 is declared out. R3 fails to touch second base, but touches third base on his way home.
RULING: For missing a base or leaving a base too soon, the umpire will declare the runner out upon proper appeal. R1 and R2 score, because R3's out was not a force out for the third out. (8-2-1 Penalty)
9.1.1 SITUATION M:
With R1 at second base and R2 at first base and two outs, B5 hits a home run out of the park. While running the bases, B5 (a) passes R2 at first or (b) maliciously runs over F4.
RULING: In both (a) and (b), B5 is declared out. R1 and R2 will be awarded home and allowed to score due to the award from the home run. B5's out is not a "force out" so the other runs will count. In (b) B5 would also be ejected for malicious contact.
9.1.1 SITUATION K:
With no outs and the bases loaded, B1 grounds into a 6-4-3 double play as R1 and R2 score. R2 misses third base and is declared out for the third out upon proper appeal.
RULING: R2's out is not a force out for the third out, therefore, R1 scores.