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Baseball hs a ruling/theory that defines the action around a base as either "relaxed" or "unrelaxed". How a runner may be put out depends on the type of action on the play. (I'll stay out of the rule conflict on when a base is missed in baseball.)
I'm not aware of any softball code that uses this theory. Fed even used to recognize the accidential appeal of a missed base. (Fed baseball still does on a missed force base---and I certainly do dislike it!!!)
I've heard the ruling was developed because of the larger diamond/field used in baseball, and that coaches/spectators could not understand the "changed" calls from a distance in unrelaxed action. I do not know if that is the correct reason, but it is just a different mechanic/ruling in baseball.
Roger Greene
p.s. The approved Fed mechanic on a missed plate is to hesitate a moment, and then signal safe if nothing else occurs. If an attempt to tag the plate, or put out the runner occures during that time, you waite for the play to conclude and then give your signal.
[Edited by Roger Greene on Oct 14th, 2002 at 02:48 PM]
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