Getting back to the topic
, neither the NFHS or ASA book prescribe anything about how a live ball appeal is made other than having the ball in their possession and tagging the base or runner. So nothing needs to be said or signaled for the umpire to react to a live ball appeal and make the call. For comparison, if a fielder catches a throw or fields a batted ball, falls down in the process and accidentally tags the runner, the runner is out.