[Andy]

Originally posted by Tap
I agree that if it's a very close call, you're stuck w/ the foul call. Can't unring the bell.

But at what point could it be a correctible error? If it clearly was fair and was erroneously called foul, and the defense had no chance of putting the B-R out at 1B since it was hit deep into the OF, couldn't the umpires place the B-R where she would have been but for the erroneous call, especially if the wrong umpire made the call? That would likely be 1B or 2B here (as opposed to 3B, since the defense stopped playing in reliance on the BU).

We discussed a play at the ASA national school in Atlanta where the B-R put down a great bunt (no one on base) that appeared to be rolling foul. She clearly had it beat out. The fielder just let it roll, it was called foul by the umpire, then it rolled back onto the line, thus fair. I believe the consensus was that the umpires could correct their error and put leave the B-R on 1B, as the defense did not attempt to make a play and the foul call occurred after it was clear that the B-R had made or would have made 1B.

I think we beat the snot out of this question on McGriff's last season. I don't remember ever coming to a concensus, but I was in the "can't unring the bell" camp. Once a batted ball is called foul by the umpire...it is forever a foul ball.