The National Federation of High Schools, or NFHS, is the governing body for high school athletics and activities in America. Most, if not all, states use NFHS rules and guidelines in their sports and extracurricular activities. One of those sports the NFHS has rules for is baseball. However, sliding into first base is not referred to in the rules.
Controversy
While there is a need to slide into second or third base at various points in the game, sliding into first base is a controversial practice. Most of the controversy comes from whether sliding actually helps at first base because the runner is allowed to run through first base, so long as he does not make a run toward second base. The question is whether sliding into first base in this situation actually slows the base runner and messes with the momentum and speed of the runner.
Sliding rules
Unlike Major League Baseball, NFHS does have rules dictating the legality of slides. In those rules, a base runner can slide headfirst or feet first. However, the slide must not interfere with the player and the leg of the sliding player must not extend higher than the knee of a standing defensive player. In the event of an illegal slide, both the base runner and the batter are called out, resulting in a double play.
Force Play Slides
Because sliding into first by the batter is always a force play, there is a separate rule for that in the NFHS guidelines. In a force play situation, the player must slide directly into the base. The only exception to this rule is when a player slides to avoid a fielder and not interfere with a play. This rule is usually seen at second base, in the case of a player trying to break up a potential double play.
Other Possibilities
When thinking of sliding into first base, the first thought is a batter sliding into first in order to beat out a throw. However, a base runner can slide into first base in the event of a pick-off throw. Also, a base runner may have to slide into first base to avoid a throw after a line drive or pop out when the runner is required to return to first base. Sliding into first base in all off these cases is legal.
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