[greymule]

BR hits a ball off the fence, misses 1B, touches 2B, and on the slide at 3B, the tag is a little late. "Safe!" says the ump, and then, "Out!" for missing 1B.

I think you're confusing an accidental appeal with the No-appeal-ump-calls-out of old.

I'm aware that the old "no appeal needed" rule went by the boards a few years ago. The above play was indeed possible under the accidental appeal play. If you remember, people were wondering what the mechanic would be.

This play was also possible: Abel on 1B. Baker singles to right. Abel misses 2B and goes to 3B. F4, holding the ball, kicks dirt off 2B before throwing to ball to the mound. Abel is out on the accidental appeal at 2B. The accidental appeal could be either a tag of the base or a tag of the runner.

Continuing action seemed not to play a part in the accidental appeal. (Does Fed even recognize continuing action?) Some people were even positing that only a pitch could "break the spell." Example: Abel doubles but misses 1B. With Baker at bat but before a pitch, F1 tries to pick Abel off 2B. Abel is safe, but F6 tags him. Out on the accidental appeal.

I don't think anyone was claiming that call should be made, but the rule was not clear about when the accidental appeal was no longer possible. I suspect most would have ended the possibility when the ball got back to the mound.

[Edited by greymule on Mar 4th, 2005 at 12:33 PM]