[greymule]

Only in Fed would that accidental force play (not actually an appeal) be recognized, and expect that oddity to disappear next year.

Generally, I agree with Freix's logic on these plays, but good logic and correct rulings don't necessarily go together. To me, if a runner has missed a base and is not attempting to return, an appeal should be recognized during continuous action. That's what I'd call now, but I'd certainly like to see definitive rulings.

We've been debating whether that accidental force actually does stay in effect until the next pitch. If it does, I think it is possible to concoct a theoretical play in which, through intentional walks and blown pickoff attempts, a runner could be picked off and be not only the second out but also the third out on the accidental force play for missing a base from his previous at bat. The umpire would then have to determine whether the pickoff or the accidental force constituted the third out of the inning. This would be important, because the accidental force as the third out could nullify nine runs.