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Whoops!
NFHS. Two out, runner on 3rd, 2 strikes on batter. Batter swings at next pitch which is low and outside. Pitch hits dirt just before being caught by catcher. Catcher holds up ball as though she's caught it before it hit the ground. Plate umpire did not see or hear the pitched ball bounce into catcher's mitt, signals strike three, and apparently makes some statement to catcher that batter is out. Batter thinks she is not out, jogs and gets to first base. Defense makes no play on her as they start jogging off the field. Base umpire saw the ball bounce but doesn't say anything, waiting for plate umpire to ask for help. Offensive coach asks plate umpire to get second opinion from base umpire. Umpires confer, base umpire tells plate umpire it did bounce before being caught, plate umpire changes call and rules batter-runner safe. Defense then argues that plate umpire had stated batter was out which was the reason they didn't make any play on the batter and why they were coming off the field. Can't find this listed in the rule book as an appealable play. Should base umpire say anything until or unless asked by plate umpire? In this instance, runner on third did not try to advance, but if she had and she had scored while defense was jogging off the field, would the run count or should she be put back on third?
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