[Rog]

I am a Minor League 'A' manager, and we play by Little League rules.

We had a play tonight that has me puzzled, and I hope you can help.

Our team was in the field, and a batter for the opposing team hits a clean double to the outfield. While he was on his way to second, my first baseman tells me he missed first base.

The ball is now dead, and I directed my pitcher to stand on the rubber, with ball in hand, and call timeout.

I then explain to the umpire we want to appeal the runner who missed first base.

I direct my pitcher to throw the ball to first base, and my first baseman touches first base.

The umpire called the runner out for missing first base.

Then, the opposing manager consults with the umpire, telling him that the appeal is invalid, because I was directing the kids on how to do the appeal, and I was the one that told the umpire what we are doing.

I say we were ok, as it was clear by my players' actions(throwing the ball to first and tagging the base) that we were appealing properly. Thanks in advance for your help.

*** Try reviewing this - - -
from:

LL Umpire Clinic Manual

CHAPTER 8
APPEALS

Appeal plays should be divided into two classes. The first covers batting out of turn.

APPEAL PLAY I - BATTING OUT OF TURN
Rule: 6.07 LITTLE LEAGUE RULEBOOK
This is different from other appeals because the appeal is made to the umpire in the form of a statement with no play necessary on the part of the team making the appeal. This is also the only type of appeal that can be made by the manager or coach and the only appeal made while the ball is dead.

If the appeal is made while the improper batter is batting, he is removed as the batter and the proper batter assumes the ball and strike count and completes the turn at bat. If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base, balk, wild pitch or passed ball, such advance is legal.

A batter who fails to bat in sequence is an improper batter. If an improper batter completes his at bat and continuous action ends, he becomes a proper batter if there is a subsequent pitch or play. The new proper batter is the player listed in the slot after such legitimized batter, and a new sequence is then established. A team always has a slot at bat. An umpire cannot suggest or indicate that a batter is improper, nor can the offense appeal its own error, although the offense can change batters. Only the defense can appeal that a batter has batted out of order. The umpire must check his line-up card or consult the official scorer, if he needs too.

APPEAL PLAY II
Rule: 7.10 LITTLE LEAGUE RULEBOOK
The second class of appeal plays is the act of a fielder in claiming a violation of the rules by the offensive team. These appeal plays concern those plays in which the appeal is made by tagging a runner or a base and appealing to the umpire. A defensive player must make this type of appeal only.

Any runner shall be called out on appeal -
After a fly ball is caught the runner fails to retouch the base before said runner or
the base is tagged.

With the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, the runner fails to
touch each base in order before said runner, or a missed base, is tagged; (1) No
runner may return to touch a missed base after a following runner has scored; (2)
When the ball is dead no runner may return to touch a missed base or one
abandoned after said runner has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed
base.

The runner overruns or over slides first base and fails to return to the base
immediately, and said runner or the base is tagged.

The runner fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to that base,
and home base is tagged.

Any appeal under this rule must be made before the next pitch, or play or attempted play. If the violation occurs during a play, which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before the defensive team leaves the field. (The defensive team has left the field when no players remain in fair territory.)

An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play.

Successive appeals may not be made on a runner at the same base. If the defensive team on its first appeal errs, the umpire shall not allow a request for a second appeal on the same runner at the same base. (Intended meaning of the word err is that the defensive team in making an appeal threw the ball out of play.) For example, if the pitcher threw to first base to appeal and threw the ball into the stands, no second appeal would be allowed.)

Appeal plays may require an umpire to recognize an apparent fourth out. If the third out is made during a play in which an appeal play is sustained on another runner, the appeal play decision takes precedence in determining the out. If there is more than one appeal during a play that ends a half-inning the defense may elect to take the out that gives it the advantage. For the purposes of this rule, the defensive team has left the field when all players have left fair territory on their way to the bench or dugout.

KEEP THE FOLLOWING POINTS IN MIND REGARDING APPEAL PLAYS:
In order to make any appeal, the ball must be live and in play.
Any appeal under Rule 7.10 must be made before the next pitch or any play or
attempted play.
If a pitcher balks when making an appeal, such act shall be considered a play. No
further appeal will be allowed.
If the pitcher or any member of the defensive team throws the ball out of play when
making an appeal (err), such act shall be considered an attempted play. No further
appeal will be allowed.
An appeal should be clearly intended an appeal, either by a verbal request by the
player or an act that unmistakably indicated an appeal to the umpire.
On all appeals the ball is live and runners may advance on their own peril.

PLAY OR ATTEMPTED PLAY
A play or attempted play shall be interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. A fake or a feint throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.)

PUTTING BALL IN PLAY AFTER BALL IS DEAD
After the ball is dead, the plate umpire shall resume play by calling “Play” (pointing to the pitcher) as soon as the pitcher takes his place on the pitcher’s plate with the ball in his possession. IMPORTANT: Get in the habit of making the ball "live" after every "dead" ball situation. (Rule 5.11)

RULING EXAMPLES:
Here are some different situations, which may occur:

The runner on third leaves the base as the outfielder first juggles a fly ball. The fielder after completing the catch throws the ball to third base for the appeal.
Ruling: The runner is not out. He may leave the base when a fly ball is first touched and need not wait until the catch is completed.

The runner on first rounds second base on a deep drive to center field. The center fielder makes a spectacular catch. The runner fails to retouch second base on his way back. The second baseman calls for the ball and makes the appeal.
Ruling: The runner is out. Runners must touch all bases while advancing or returning while the ball is live.

With a runner on first base. A fly ball is hit to deep right field, the runner takes off to second base before the fly ball is caught thinking the fielder can never make the catch. The fielder in turn makes a spectacular catch, the runner seeing this starts running back to first base, the fielder throws to first and the throw beats the runner.
Ruling: The umpire should call the runner out. Under the circumstances given a verbal appeal of this action is not required. It is obvious why the ball is being thrown to a base to which a runner is returning.

Bases full. The batter hits an inside the park home run. The third baseman calls for the ball and touches third to appeal that the runner missed the base.
Ruling: The umpire will make no ruling until the third baseman completes the appeal by stating which runner he is appealing. If the third baseman makes such a statement as "He missed third base" the umpire may say, "On which runner are you making the appeal?"

The bases are loaded. The batter walks. The runner who is forced to score misses home plate.
Ruling: The runner has until he steps into the dugout to come back to touch the plate. If he does not, the defense may put him out by appealing the missed base.

The batter hits a double, but fails to touch first base. The ball is thrown to the first baseman, which makes the appeal. The first base umpire calls the batter-runner out. The manager of the team at bat protests the game because the ball was not returned to the pitcher on the rubber before the appeal was made.
Ruling: The umpire was correct. The ball doesn't have to be returned to the rubber unless time had been called prior to the appeal.

No runners. The batter doubles but misses first base. Time is called. The pitcher steps on the rubber with the ball and the umpire says "play". The pitcher legally steps off the rubber and checks the runner at second base. The pitcher's throw for the appeal gets past the first baseman, but remains in play. The runner advances to home as the ball is being retrieved. Can the defensive team still make its intended appeal at first base?
Ruling: Yes. Since the ball is live and in play, if the ball is retrieved and thrown to first base immediately, the appeal is allowed.