How can a head coach give a batter an intentional base on balls?

The correct reasoning behind the choice is that a head coach can indeed request the umpire to award a batter first base on an intentional walk, regardless of the ball-and-strike count. This means that the process is designed to expedite the game and avoid unnecessary pitches when a team wants to deliberately allow a batter to reach base without going through the standard pitching to them.

Since the intentional walk is a strategic decision, the rules allow the head coach to make this request at the discretion of the game situation. It avoids having to throw four pitches that are designated as balls, which is the traditional method of issuing an intentional walk. This option not only saves time during the game but also keeps the game more dynamic, allowing coaches to make tactical decisions based on the state of play.

While the other options provide different methods or conditions under which a walk may occur, they do not accurately represent how an intentional walk can be communicated to the umpire and executed, which is why the chosen answer highlights the correct and official protocol in baseball as governed by NFHS rules.