Appeal Runner Leaving Early
- Thread starter epwulf
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On a steal unless there was a caught batted fly ball there is no appeal for leaving before the release of the pitch. That is purely the umpires judgement and call. On a caught fly ball, you can make a live ball appeal by throwing back to the base the runner left early from, or you can call time and make a verbal dead ball appeal. That is assuming all playing action has ceased.
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- Apr 28, 2019
- 1,423
- 83
Man in blue would know. I believe you just throw to the base you think the runner left early from and check with the ump for a ruling.
why?
if the ump saw the Runner leave early, wouldn’t he/she call the runner out? and if they didnt see it, what does the appeal accomplish?
- May 29, 2015
- 3,813
- 113
*blush*
As always ... this answer may vary by your rule set ...
Leaving early on a steal attempt (or just getting a lead off) is not an appealable play.
USA, USSSA, and NFHS: When the umpire sees a runner leave early, it is an immediate dead ball (NO PITCH) and the runner is out.
NCAA: A runner leaving early is a delayed dead ball, meaning the pitch is allowed and any play is allowed to occur. Then the defense has the option of taking the penalty (runner is out) or the result of the play. (This kind fo makes sense if you think about it. If the batter smokes a line drive that is caught and the runner is doubled up, why would you reward the offense by declaring the double play invalid?)
Leaving early, or failing to tag up, on a caught fly ball is an appealable play. There are two kinds of appeals: live ball and dead ball.
A live ball appeal would be throwing the ball to the base before the play is dead.
A dead ball appeal occurs after the play is dead (but before the next pitch). In most organizations (all I listed above) a dead ball appeal can simply be verbal. Coach or player asks for time, approaches umpire and says “I think the runner at ____ base left early.” The umpire will render an immediate ruling.
This is not a proper mechanic, but I will usually ask the coach to have his player throw to the base or go touch it anyway. I’ve gotten thumbs up and thumbs down for this. The ball is dead, so there is no risk of throwing it away. It doesn’t change my ruling (if they say no, that’s fine), but I feel it helps the crowd know what is happening.
- May 29, 2015
- 3,813
- 113
No, umpires do not call automatic outs for missing a bag or failing to properly tag up. It is an appeal play, meaning a coach or player must make an appeal. Why? Because the rulebooks say so.
Why, especially since you know it's not a proper mechanic?
I had an aggravating one a few days ago. Hit to shortstop who overthrows first base, ball hits a fence post and bounces into the outfield, one in a million shot.
Runner touches first rounding it, misses second and third by a foot each, all eyes were on the ball except mine. She continues to the plate when the ball is overthrown at third again and the runner missed home plate by 6 inches. I'm expecting an appeal from someone on defense. No appeal. She only touched first base and the run counted because there was no appeal at any of the three bases she missed.
When I coach I have people appointed to watch each base to tell me if the runner leaves early on a tag play or misses a base. Has saved me many times.
Runner touches first rounding it, misses second and third by a foot each, all eyes were on the ball except mine. She continues to the plate when the ball is overthrown at third again and the runner missed home plate by 6 inches. I'm expecting an appeal from someone on defense. No appeal. She only touched first base and the run counted because there was no appeal at any of the three bases she missed.
When I coach I have people appointed to watch each base to tell me if the runner leaves early on a tag play or misses a base. Has saved me many times.
