Quote:
Originally posted by Timmy
Are there standards for appeal language? Magic words? I've had players run up to me screaming "Blue, he missed third". Well, maybe he did, what's your point? Eventually they understand that I want them to state that they are appealing that a specific runner missed a specific base. Is this wrong; since it's obvious that they want a ruling on a particular action is that enough to treat it as an appeal or am I correct in being picky about the language?
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No magic words. No, you are not correct in being picky about language (IMO).
For an appeal to be "proper," there are 2 parts: mechanics and communication. Live ball appeals mechanics are to have the ball and to touch the base or tag the runner. The communication part is that the intent of this action must be clear. Example: BR misses first, throw is late, F3 catches the throw while touching the base. Mechanics are correct for a live ball appeal, but the communication is not - this is probably just a late throw, rather than an appeal for BR missing the base. F3 would need to communicate in some way that she was appealing. There is no magic to the "some way" - only that the umpire gets the message.
Dead ball appeal mechanics are call TIME if necessary. If the ball is dead as a result of the play (e.g. thrown out of play), allow runners to complete any base running duties. Communications is any infielder verbally stating the appeal. Again, no magic words, just getting the message through to the umpire.
If there is room for ambiguity (e.g. multiple runners, or multiple bases passed), the appeal communications must be clear enough that you know which runner, which base, etc. Allow no guessing.
A catcher saying "I blocked her from the base" would mean (to me), "Mr. Umpire, I appeal the runner missing home plate" in the situation described.
If a player ran up to me during a live ball screaming, "Blue, he missed third," I have an improper live ball appeal. During a dead ball, I have a runner declared out (assuming the player is an infielder and is correct).
[Edited by Dakota on Aug 28th, 2003 at 11:52 AM]