Appeal Runner Leaving Early

[texasheat]

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?

Let's the home plate umpire have a chance at overruling the field ump and make the proper call.

 

[The Man In Blue]

Why, especially since you know it's not a proper mechanic?

That’s a good question. It isn’t an improper mechanic either.

Seriously, I have had UICs, evaluators, and clinicians come down on both sides. Some really like the idea. None have said “don’t do it” though. The worst I have gotten is “that’s not in our book.” Just like rules, every organization has different mechanics they want to see their umpires using.

Like I said, I am not going to penalize or refuse the appeal if a coach says no. The ball is dead, so nothing can happen (e.g., throwing the ball away accidentally and runners advance). I feel it works much smoother with the crowd understanding what happened. The move to a verbal appeal process may be what is driving people thinking it is an automatic call since the crowd doesn’t see anything happen and “all of the sudden” the runner is out.

 

[The Man In Blue]

Let's the home plate umpire have a chance at overruling the field ump and make the proper call.

That’s not what an appeal is. Appeals are available on very specific plays as defined in the rule book. Essentially, an appeal play is one where the umpire is not to make a call or ruling unless specifically asked to do so. Why? I don’t know ... somebody wrote the rules that way.

You are referring to “asking for help” and there are times that is appropriate and times it is not. When it happens, umpires don’t “overrule” one another, they provide additional information and allow the calling umpire to make the final determination.

 

[Comp]

Let's the home plate umpire have a chance at overruling the field ump and make the proper call.

No umpire may ever change another officials call, and no official should give unsolicited input or say anything about another officials call unless the calling official asks for additional information.

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[MTR]

Why, especially since you know it's not a proper mechanic?

Agree. All that does is cause confusion down the road especially if the do not execute it properly, dead ball or not

 

[Momo'sDad]

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.

I understand that the runner is not called out for the missed bag unless there is an appeal. Can a run be counted if the runner missed the plate in this scenario?

 

[Comp]

Once a runner has passed a base they are by rule assumed to have touched it until properly appealed. So yes, unless there is an appeal the run scores

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[WVSteven]

I understand that the runner is not called out for the missed bag unless there is an appeal. Can a run be counted if the runner missed the plate in this scenario?

Sorry, was in Columbus, OH this weekend, just got back on the computer
Comp already answered the question

 

[The Man In Blue]

Agree. All that does is cause confusion down the road especially if the do not execute it properly, dead ball or not

It’s an opinion. I’m not going to argue or defend it. I’m just stating what I do as a bit of “proactive officiating.”

When a coach calls time and comes over and says “I think she/he missed second base” I will (if it is my call) give him my ruling.

“No, she got the corner as she came around.” And then we play on.

OR

“Yes, she did miss it. Would you mind having your pitcher throw over there before I call her out?” Now, either the pitcher throws over and I call the runner out, or the coach says “no” and I still call the runner out.

It isn’t a production. It has no consequences. As I said, it does help the parents in the stands know what happened and avoids all the squawking and questioning.

 

[The Man In Blue]

Once a runner has passed a base they are by rule assumed to have touched it until properly appealed. So yes, unless there is an appeal the run scores

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Comp, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe NFHS changed the proper umpire mechanic on this. In the past (and I be.ieve this is still current for most other organizations) we were to give a safe signal even if we saw the miss. The updated mechanic is that we no longer make any call until something proper happens.