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"Hold your call and if the runner gets back to the back before the defense tags the runner or bag, no harm, no foul."
Is'nt the runner considered "Safe". Holding the call, tips the defense off that there is something wrong and a possible appeal is in order. That is the responsibilty of the defense to figure that out without our help.
Our instructions were to signal safe. On proper appeal the runner could be declared out. But usually the runner has returned to the bag by then anyway.
This is one of those plays that is discussed about 100,000 times more than it actually happens. Even then, it usually happens like this:
Runner crosses over bag, Umpire calls out. Coach asked if he missed the bag or umpires states that the runner missed the bag and it is readily accepted.
I know its not by the Book, but there is a large contingent of umpires out there that can not accept the fact that it is the responsibilty of the defense, (Now in Fed) to be aware of baserunning infractions, instead of the official. Im glad the various rules are coming closer together on this.
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