A fake tag is an act by a defensive player without the ball that simulates a tag and:

• A. Is considered obstruction.
• B. Requires a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected.
• C. Is considered a legal play.
• D. A and B.

Answer: (D)

A fake tag is illegal because it’s a defensive action without the ball that deceives the runner and hinders their progress. Under NFHS baseball rules, an action like that is considered obstruction. The runner is awarded the base they would have reached if not obstructed, and the ball remains live, with the umpire calling obstruction.

Additionally, there’s a disciplinary component: the team is given a warning to curb such behavior, and if a subsequent offender from that same team commits the act again, that offender is ejected. So the scenario is not a legal play, and it’s treated as obstruction plus the team’s warning followed by possible ejection for repeat offenders.