Let see if I can start another 40+ entry thread?
Rule 7-2-4 says
"No runner shall be removed from the base occupied except the batter-runner who has been taken off the base by the umpire as in (2) above to bat in the proper place."
I believe this is poorly worded or at least needs to be expanded. The way it is written it sounds like the only time a runner is removed from the bases is when the batter-runner made it safely to base and is the next appropriate batter. Is that a correct interpretation?
Situation 1:
R1 on 1B. B3 due up, but B4 bats and makes it safely to first. R1 is now on 2B. The defense appeals before the next legal/illegal pitch.
Ruling: B3 is out. The advance of R1 is nullified. R1 is returned to 1B. B4 is removed from 1B and bats again.
Situation 2:
R1 on 1B. B3 due up, but B5 bats and makes it safely to first. R1 is now on 2B. The defense appeals before the next legal/illegal pitch.
Ruling: B3 is out. The advance of R1 is nullified. R1 is returned to 1B. B5 is removed from 1B. B4 is the next batter. We had to remove B5 because of the advance of R1, even though he/she is not the next proper batter.
Situation 3:
R1 on 3B. B3 due up, but B7 bats and hits a ground ball to F5. F5 holds the runner at third. B7 beats the throw to 1B. The defense appeals before the next legal/illegal pitch.
Ruling: B3 is out. B7 is removed from 1B. B4 is the next batter.
Is it correct to say that anytime the defense appeals before the next legal/illegal pitch, that the improper batter should be removed from the bases if they made it safely, regardless of whether or not they are the next proper batter or forced the other runners to advance? If we dont always remove them, it is possible that they could still be on base when their proper turn at bat is due up.
For example,
Situation 4:
R1 on 3B. B3 due up, but B6 bats and hits a ground ball to F5. F5 holds the runner at third. B6 beats the throw to 1B. The defense appeals before the next legal/illegal pitch.
Ruling: B3 is out. B4 is the next batter. Lets assume we do not remove B6 from 1B. If B4 walks, this puts B6 at 2B. Now B5 flys out for the 2nd out. Now we still have B6 at 2B and he's due up to bat next. If we didnt remove on the appeal, do we now remove him to bat?
Thanks!
Randall
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