Runner Missing 1st base on a force play

[Atl Blue]

If you are going to “quote” the case book, quote it all, because it makes a mess out of this entire discussion:

*8.2.3 SITUATION: B1 hits a slow roller to F5 and arrives safely but misses first base. F3 catches the ball with his foot off the base and casually steps on first base, though he believes the runner has beaten the throw. RULING: B1 is out. Because a force play is being made on the runner and is the result of continuing action, F3 is not required to appeal the missed base and needs only to complete the force out.

Well now, where did THAT come from? A batter is “forced” at first, and despite the following rule change, this is an out?

Compare and contrast this situation, taken from the NFHS website:

SITUATION 8: With R1 at first, B2 singles to right field. R1 misses second base as he advances safely to third. The throw from the outfield goes to F4, who catches the ball and stumbles on second base, not aware that R1 did not touch the bag. RULING: Until the defense makes a proper intentional appeal, R1 would not be out. Accidental appeals by the defense are not valid. (8-4-2j)

Well, what’s an umpire to do? Here we have 8.2.3 saying that an “accidental” apeeal of a batter “forced” at first is an out, while the same organization posts a situation where a truly forced runner is NOT out on an “accidental appeal”. Interesting, especially in light of the rule change in 2004:

8-4-2j Add to the end of the rule: There shall be no accidental appeals on a force play.

Then we have the following case, again from the book, about two pages past the first case stated:

*8.4.2 SITUATION B: With R1 at first, B2 hits a double into right center, sending Alto third. However, R1 misses second base. F6 is standing on second when he catches the throw from the outfield. He then throws the ball to the pitcher. RULING: Although R1 missed second, no call will be made by the umpire because F6 did not make an intentional appeal of the missed base.

The simple answer is 8.2.3 (the first case) is just WRONG based on the new rule. But it does raise interesting questions about a batter being “forced” at 1B.

And in OBR, the proper mechanic, as has been stated, is that the BR is safe in this case until tagged or properly appealed, not accidentally appealed.