Quote:
Originally posted by Rich Ives
Original sitch: "F1 throws to F2, who now steps on the plate, just ahead of the now conscious R3. R3 only tried to return to touch home, when alerted to the fact he missed home."
The runner was in the immediate vicinity of the plate attempting to return. Tag required.
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No. Read the previous sentences of the original sitch: "R3 comes in, but misses home plate by about two feet, fair territory,
continuing on towards his 1st base dugout. Starts high-fiving teammates, etc. Does not get all the way to the dugout."
Clearly, this does NOT count as "immediate effort" to return to the plate. He did something else: high-fiving teammates! The appeal was slow enough to allow R3 to run back towards the plate, but his rush at that point doesn't change the ruling. Tagging the plate is sufficient for the appeal.
Contrast: R3 comes in, takes 2 steps past the plate, realizes he might have missed it, and returns to touch. THEN he has to be tagged.