I'm scratching my head over an ASA example sitch & ruling. Looking for a little experience to point me in the right direction.
In this play
http://www.asasoftball.com/umpires/c...s_2006_apr.asp, (bottom of page) it doesn't go on to say whether the act of B5 abandoning the field (returned to the dugout) makes the 3rd out of the inning or not. They cite rule 10-6.C, but don't let us know what happens afterward. I guess they expect we'd just "know". I don't (embarrassingly enough to admit).
I understand why only 3 runs would score on the HR.
I'm putting myself in the PU's shoes. Would I be explaining to the defensive coach that:
- I missed the call and am making a delayed call right now (by which rule, heaven only knows) which results in out 3; but to take that HR off the board would be putting the offense in jeopardy? or
- B5's act didn't result in an out at all because I didn't see it and a legal pitch was thrown? All play stands, tough beans.
Everything I've been taught tells me that (2) is the right answer. I rule that way (can't call what I don't see) on dead ball appeals more often than I like ... I work a lot of one-man, and while the defense might not like it, too bad ... pay another $30 for a base ump if you want those calls
But there's a lot more at stake here than an average missed "appeal required" play on the basepaths. The defensive manager is gonna have quite a point when he protests: it was by offensive mistake that B5 abandoned, and yet the offense benefits with no out
plus three more runs? The only 'penalty' the offense got was 3 runs scoring instead of 4. Something doesn't add up .... Or is the rule book trying to tell managers to "appeal now or forever hold your peace" ... "it's your fault if you don't ask for time at the right time" ... "double-check every ruling from the umpire crew or else"?
Of course, none of this happens if I keep careful track of the runners as I've had it beaten into me by experience
TIA