[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by BJ Moose
A pro pal shared a question from his exam. I will share it, and a similar sitch. Category is: Can a Checked Swing Appeal be a valid 4th out appeal??

1. R1, 2 outs, 2-2 count. Batter is Mighty Brutus, .850 hitting he-man. R1 Stealing, batter checks swing, Batter Interferes with catcher throwing, but throw RETIRES R1 at second anyway, 3rd out. (We know that Interference is now negated, there is NO interference.) Defense still wants to APPEAL the checked swing, not wanting Brutus to lead off the next inning. Finally, to clarify the "vision", imagine Brutus really screws himself into the ground on this checked swing, PU just MISSED it.

IS the appeal of the checked swing valid? The inning is OVER. Any way for Brutus to be rung up? Or is he going to lead off next inning no matter what?

Now consider similar sitch:

2. R2 R3, 2 outs. 2-2 count. Checked swing. Pitch goes to backstop. R3 scores. R2 comes home, and is TAGGED OUT!
3 outs. Now defense wants to appeal the checked swing. IF Batter "struck out" obviously no run scores.

Is this an valid appeal? This is tougher than #1 because it certainly seems FAIR. But if allowed, where does OBR or NAPBL make this valid?

I think they're both allowed. The check-swing appeal is not a 7.10 appeal -- usually when the word is used, that's what we think of. Here, though, we must look to 9.02(c) notes -- it's more of a "decision reversal" than an "appeal" -- even though the defense "appeals" to the umpire to ask for help.

What's the "pro" answer?