[greymule]

Yes, continuing action is mentioned, though never defined. But we also have authoritative opinion that the accidental force is still in effect even after intentional walks (where no pitch is thrown). Certainly, if the ball goes back to the mound and then the coach orders a batter or batters intentionally walked, we don't think of that as continuing action, yet the accidental force still looms as possible. We also have case play involving a fielder nonchalantly tagging a runner who has slid safely into 3B after missing 2B, and a fielder who is walking in from the outfield toward the mound, presumably after play has stopped, and who kicks dirt off 2B to trigger the accidental force play.

It would be nice to know exactly at what point the accidental force is not possible.

Analogies to appeals are not really valid, because although we've been calling this play an accidental appeal, it's really an accidental force play (that happens to look like an appeal).

Maybe next year the entire point will be moot (or they'll define continuing action precisely!).