Quote:
Originally posted by CecilOne
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.
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Au contraire, Cecil. ASA Rule 1 - APPEAL PLAY says the appeal must be "requested" by a player, coach, or manager.
Now, the classic live ball appeal for leaving early on a caught fly ball, the fielder makes an unambiguous throw to an empty base, or a throw to a base to which a runner is retreating. This act constitutes the "request" required by the definition, since there is no other reason for the play. However, if the fielder's actions are ambiguous, (see the discussion on "accidental appeals" in the thread "tagging up..hypothetical.. ") then the fielder must do or say
something to make the request. The onus is on the defense to recognize the missed base or base left too soon, and to appeal it. They can't just stumble into the correct actions.
Tagging a runner while off base during a live ball is always an out, so that example doesn't compare.