[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by David Emerling


Having said that, consider the following:

OBR. 2-man umpire crew.

R1. Count of 3-1. Check swing, PU does not call the pitch a strike. R1 thinks that the batter has walked so he starts trotting down to 2nd. Instead of appealing, the catcher rifles the ball down to 2nd and a rundown ensues.

What is the BU supposed to do? The PU just called the pitch a ball. What if the BU is of the opinion that it was a strike ... but he hasn't been asked yet?

The aforementioned is no different than an appeal for a runner missing the base.

If the PU did not ring up the BR, as BU I'm simply going to say Ball 4 to let the offense / defense know what is happening right now because at that very moment it is for all practical purposes ball 4 unless appealed.

If the BU says ball 4 that should stop the rundown. If it doesn't and there is a tag attempt the call is safe because again at this point (Until appealed), R1 is entitled to second base without liability to be put out.

In reality if the PU didn't go to me "right away", and the action followed, I will go with the PU's call no matter what I thought.

However, let's assume the coach wants to appeal and the BU does in fact call the pitch a strike.

In OBR it's not specifically addressed, but I would not call 2 out on this play. I would also use judgement on where to place R1. Example; if the pitch was a passed ball all the way to the back-stop I would leave R1 at second, however, if the ball was right near F2 and in my judgement R1 would not have made second if the call were made immediately then I put R1 at first.

In FED your scenario is specifically covered in FED case play 10.2.3I

Bottom line, as PU when there is "action" go to your partner immediately on a check swing.

Pete Booth