Fed appeals

[Roger Greene]

Joe,

In you plays #1, 2, and 3 are all force plays, and therefore not time plays. (R1 has been forced to second because the batter became a batter-runner.) All the defense needs to do is tag the base or the runner, even if they are unaware that he missed second base. NOTE: Fed still recognizes the "accidental appeal" on force plays and on the batter-runner at first base. (see play 8.2.2E and situation 19 on the NHFS web site)

In your play #4 this is not a force play. It is a timing play. In the Fed appeal on a non force play the appeal must be unmistakable. If the runner has attempted to return to the base before the defense initiates the apeal, then the runner must be tagged. If the defense appeals before the runner attempts to return the offense may simply tag the base while holding the ball and indicate to the administering umpire why they are tagging the base. (See play 8.2.2N and situation 20 NHFS web site.)

The run-down is interesting. Has R1 attempted to return to his base, thereby requiring a tag of the player, and requireing the defense to tagg him? I think you must use your judgement here. You describe it as getting in the rundown to allow R3 to score. In that case, if the defense instituted an unmistakable live ball appeal, I would honor it. If R1 was attempting to return to a base he obviously knew he had missed, I would require the tag per the cites above.

Roger Greene