Awkward strikeout

[David Emerling]

The rules discuss how runners have to beware that their status can suddenly change with an appeal of a checked swing.

A portion of OBR 9.02(c) says:
Baserunners must be alert to the possibility that the base umpire on appeal from the plate umpire may reverse the call of a ball to the call of a strike, in which event the runner is in jeopardy of being out by the catcher's throw. Also, a catcher must be alert in a base stealing situation if a ball call is reversed to a strike by the base umpire upon appeal from the plate umpire. The ball is in play on appeal on a half swing.

Naturally, catchers have to be aware of this also.

So, when there is a check swing with a runner on 1st the catcher should FIRST address any activity by the runners prior to wasting time with asking the PU for an appeal. The catcher can't allow R1 to trot down to 2nd while having a discussion with the umpires.

Having said that, consider the following:

OBR. 2-man umpire crew.

R1. Count of 3-1. Check swing, PU does not call the pitch a strike. R1 thinks that the batter has walked so he starts trotting down to 2nd. Instead of appealing, the catcher rifles the ball down to 2nd and a rundown ensues.

What is the BU supposed to do? The PU just called the pitch a ball. What if the BU is of the opinion that it was a strike ... but he hasn't been asked yet?

Very awkward.

F6 tags R1. The BU rules him safe - right? Afterall, the batter walked and R1 is awarded 2nd. You signal safe - even though you are of the opinion that the batter did swing - although you haven't been asked yet. So, while R1 continues to 2nd (after having been tagged), the defense then appeals the swing. Can they do that? So you rule it a strike. Is R1 retroactively out?

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David Emerling
Memphis, TN