did the run score ?

[Kevin Finnerty]

See, I told you Maz and Matt were right. Especially Maz.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

By now you know that it *can* be an accepted mechanic.

Yep, I see that.

Originally Posted by Maz17

You guys can blast me all you want. You can Harry's School, Jim's School, NCAA Clinic, Arizona Umpire Academy, O.U.T.S. Clinic me all you want.

I wasn't doing any of this. I admitted that it *can be* an accepted mechanic after Kevin's explaination. All I said was that it seemed odd that no one had mentioned it.

[DG]

You can't pre-game everything. I have never heard this situation in pre-game from another umpire and it is not in my standard package to discuss. Sometimes you just have to go with your training, whatever that was. I work with a lot of guys that I don't know what their training was.

[Dave Reed]

The exact quote from the MLB:

8.7 "VOLUNTARY STRIKE"
In the situation where the third strike eludes the catcher on a half-swing and the batter-runner is entitled to run to first base, the appeal should be made to the base umpire instantly (without waiting for a request from the defense); but even if the appeal is not instant, the appropriate base umpire should immediately and voluntarily make a call of strike IF the base umpire is going to reverse the plate umpire's call. This will give the batter the immediate opportunity to run.

[Bolding, caps, and quotation marks copied from MLBUM.]

You could also read this thread, where the same question was asked (and answered) Asking BU on a Check Swing

Edited to add: I type too slow!

[SAump]

Originally Posted by KenL.nation

bases loaded,2 strikes on the batter. The next pitch, batter check swings. The ball gets by the catcher. Now heres the tricky part, R3 crosses the plate before the catcher dives and tags the batter/runner. The check swing was appealed to the base ump, he called it a strike for the 3rd out. Does the run score ?

Question for Ken. Did you mean to ask about a LL, FED, NCAA or OBR ruling?

The catcher doesn't tag the runner. IOW, the catcher races back to the backstop to retrieve the ball and turns to fire toward 1B. He sees the B/R standing outside the box 1BLX and then walks over to tag him (check swing appeal). IOW, the defense makes the appeal while the B/R is standing outside the box inside 1BLX. The B/R had cleared the box to avoid interference w/ play on R3. F1 did not cover the plate, conceeding the run, while pointing out to his catcher to tag the B/R.

[scubajim]

no

[SAump]

I doubt the need for help exists. PU has responsibility here. The PU should make an aggressive call in this situation. Its just more acceptable to all parties involved. Do not place the BU in an unfair position. The PU having a superior vantage point to correctly adjudicate should never-never feel second-guessed.

I caution against using the voluntary strike mechanic more than once a season. It may be a useful backup mechanic when the PU is overwhelmed. That is where the problem in communication lies. Does the PU have to go for help immediately in this situation if he is on top of it?

How does it alter the play? The batter always thinks he checked in time. Are we to blame the umpires for failing him in this situation? It sounds like coaching to me. Do I care if he had a "fair" chance to run? No, because this is the same check-swing situation that occurs most frequently.

I say, if he swung and didn't run, he is at risk. The responsibility is placed on the 1B coach and his batter. The PU balls it. The defense ask for an opinion. Batter is out upon successful appeal. The timing of the appeal should not become a factor in determining the batter's status. JMOHO.