[Young IN Ref]

Had this situation occur while I was working the plate. What are your thoughts?


R1, R2, R3 are on 3rd, 2nd and 1st base, respectively. B4 hits a shallow fly to F8. U2 moves to the play to make a ruling. F8 scoops for the ball and it appears as though it could be a catch. U2 moves his fist up to signal "out." R2 and R3 turn and return to 2nd and 1st base. B4 stops running, but continues to job to 1st base, does not abandon or enter the dugout. R1 tags up and scores. After 1-2 seconds, U2 realizes that F8 did not catch the ball and makes a "safe" signal to indicate that the ball was not caught. There is a 5-10 second delay. The ball is returned to F1, when F5 yells "The ball is still live." R2 and R3 start to run to 3rd and 2nd. F5 receives the ball, steps on 3rd base and then tags R2. F5 throws to F4, who catches the ball and steps on 2nd prior to R3 arriving, but does not tag R3. B4 is standing on 1st base.

Thoughts/Ruling? My two theories at play are: 1. The umpire's error caused the runners and batter-runner to stop and they should not be penalized for the umpire error. R2 and R3 should be placed on 3rd and 2nd base. 2. The runners and batter-runners need to ignore an initial signal, and contine playing, realizing that the ball was not caught. R2 and R3 are OUT on appeal at 3rd and 2nd base.