Bases Loaded Walk...

Originally Posted by greymule

How can you miss a base on a walk?

In Fed a few years ago, I had a runner fail to touch home after being forced in on a walk. He stopped five feet in front of the plate, picked up the bat, and went directly to his bench. The catcher didn't notice, but the defensive coach saw it from the dugout, so they got the out on appeal.

The difference here is the runner actually reached the dugout and has lost his protection. He can be called out on appeal. Because it is an awarded base, the runner can correct a running violation unless a succeeding runner has scored in front of him. For example - R1 goes to second, overruns and F2 decides to make a play throws into OF allowing R2, who has reached 3B, to score. R3 is no longer protected and can be called out on appeal. Until it is clear that R3 no longer is making an attempt to touch HP, I would allow him to touch and score.

Ref: 8-2-5 - ART. 5... If a runner who misses any base (including home plate) or leaves a base too early, desires to return to touch the base, he must do so immediately. If the ball becomes dead and the runner is on or beyond a succeeding base, he cannot return to the missed base and, therefore, is subject to being declared out upon proper and successful appeal.

Of course the operative word in this is immediately. How close is he to dugout, how much time has elasped, etc. It becomes a judgment call.