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NHFS Rule 8.2.5, pg. 48, states: Appeals must be made before the next legal or illegal pitch; (2) at the end of an inning before the pitcher and all infielders have left fair territory; (3) before an intentional base on balls is granted; (4) on the very last play of the game an appeal can be made until the umpires leave the field of play.
My interpretation is that even though the appeal could be made because we (the umpires) have not left the field, the appeal should be disallowed because the defensive team had all crossed the foul line, thus leaving fair territory. For me to have allowed the appeal at least one defensive player had to remain on the field. I reiterate, all of the defensive players left fair territory, went to the dugout, and then went to left field for a team meeting. It was really strange seeing the defensive team out in left field and the offensive team leaving, some in their cars. Please don't ask me what in the h... we were still doing on the field. It's a long, embarrassing story.
Was I right or wrong? A protest ensued because of my ruling.
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