[greymule]

He was prohibited from returning because, after the ball became dead, he advanced to the next base.

As for the appeal at an intervening base, I understand the logic, but I don't think the rules would allow it. I don't think that because the runner had to touch 2B and did not, he can be appealed at 2B. The appeal is at 1B only.

Let's take a couple of extreme examples.

1. Suppose Abel hits an inside-the-park home run but misses 1B. Let's add that the throw home skips into DBT. To get an out, the defense must appeal at 1B. They cannot appeal at 2B or 3B or even home under the theory that Abel, to correct his mistake, would have to retouch home, 3B, 2B, in order to retouch at 1B.

2. Abel on 2B. Baker hits a 420-foot fly to center. Abel leaves too soon, tags 3B, sprints home, and goes into the dugout. The defense must appeal at 2B. They cannot appeal at 3B or home under the theory that Abel would have to retouch home and 3B in order to return and correct his mistake.

I will search J&R, BRD, etc., tonight to see whether I can find a definite answer.

I am not 100% sure of my position, but if I'm wrong, I really learned something.

As I remember, the book says, ". . . and he or the base is tagged." It does not add, "or any intervening bases the runner would have to touch to effect a proper return."

I just read Bluezebra's post. That makes sense. If the runner not only left 1B but also missed 2B, then the defense can appeal at either base.

[Edited by greymule on Aug 11th, 2003 at 04:51 PM]