A walk is as good as a hit...maybe

[bkbjones]

Bases loaded. 1 out. Tie score, bottom of 8th. Count is 3-0. Next pitch is ball four. Runner from third scores, game over.

Or is it? Batter became a runner with the award of first base on ball four, but never advanced.

With less than two outs, this doesn't seem to me to be a big issue about the batter-runner not advancing (unless there is something I am overlooking). It COULD have been if other runners did not advance, but I believe the others did advance to their base. (I was not one of the umpires for this game, but was watching the tail end of it.)

With two outs, it could be a big issue.

So...what do you do as an umpire?
Does the defense have to appeal the batter-runner not advancing to first?
Is the ball dead as soon as the runner from 3B scores? Or does it remain live?
What of the runners on 1st and 2nd? If THEY don't advance, could they be called out?
If the batter-runner advances to first, but one of the other runners doesn't advance to their base, what happens?
At what point could a play or appeal be made on a runner (or batter-runner) for failing to advance?

And...what should the umpires do? They probably wouldn't want to give the whole thing away by their actions...