This is my opinion, but, logically it all seems to make sense.
My Grandfather (Bless his soul) once told me, "Jimmy, if all the pieces of the puzzle fit together, you got yerself the whole picture."
It seems the authorities are telling us exactly what you have written, Warren.
We also have this from Cris Jones:
On appeals for a missed first base by batter-runner
QUESTION: Batter hits a grounder in the infield. The throw pulls F3 off the base, but he catches the ball. He is pulled to the infield side of first in fair territory. BR avoids F3's tag attempt legally, but in doing so, misses first base as he overruns it down the right field line. BR makes no attempt to advance and immediately turns around to head back to first base. F3 after missing on the first tag attempt, starts to run after BR but, stops and turns around and runs back and touches first base, but says nothing. What is the call? Is BR out or safe. Is this an unmistakable appeal or not?
ANSWER: Umpire's judgment. If you believe he was appealing. Call the runner out.
This, I think, simply helps our theories along.
Sincerely,
Jim Porter
|