Appeal of home plate
 

R3, 2 out. Passed ball gets by the catcher and R3 passes home plate, but fails to touch it. He goes into the dugout, assuming that he has touched it. The catcher walks maybe 20 feet from home plate. Then the defensive coach tells his catcher to touch home plate because the runner missed it. Now the runner gets out of the dugout, and gets in a foot race with the catcher towards home plate.

Two questions:

1) Is the runner out for abandonment?
2) Does the runner have the opportunity to touch home now that he is in the dugout?

1) No
2) No

The defense must make a live ball appeal. You cannot have abandonment for simply missing home plate. Once in the dugout, the runner is not allowed to return. If the runner had not yet reached the dugout prior to an appeal and realized that he missed the base and made an attempt to go back, then the runner must be tagged. If the runner reaches the dugout or shows indifference to the miss, the catcher merely needs to step on the plate and make his appeal.

ONce he entered the dugout he cannot "get in the footrace" He is out on the catcher touching home plate. At least that is the way I remember the rules....but I have been out of the game for 3 years plus. ANd loving every minute of retirement from the game

Could I get a rule reference for this please?

How about 7.08 (k). The assumption being that he has not entered the dugout. Once in the dugout, he's effectively abandoned his effort and is assumed to have touched pending an appropriate and legal appeal.


7.08 (k) In running or sliding for home base, he fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to the base, when a fielder holds the ball in his hand, while touching home base, and appeals to the umpire for the decision.

Rule 7.08(k) Comment: This rule applies only where runner is on his way to the bench and the catcher would be required to chase him. It does not apply to the ordinary play where the runner misses the plate and then immediately makes an effort to touch the plate before being tagged. In that case, runner must be tagged.

And:

MLBUM 5.3: "A runner may not return to touch a base or the plate after he has entered the dugout."