Tonight, I was umpiring 14-16 year olds under FED rules. B1 hits a shot to left center, misses first base, hessitates after he rounds the base, then continues to second. The ball comes in to the pitcher, but he never steps on the rubber. The coach tells him to appeal to first. It took the pitcher about 30 seconds to figure out what the coach was telling him to do. The ball is thrown over for the appeal and I call the runner out. My question is this, was this appeal legal under the new FED live ball appeal rule? Time was not called, so the ball was still live, correct? The coach was arguing that since playing action had stopped, the ball was dead. He also said that since I had put my mask back on, that meant the ball was dead. I have no clue where he got that one! Anyway, if I was incorrect, please explain the proper procedure that should be followed in this situation. Also, if an appeal is improperly made, does that nullify the possibility for an appeal? Thanks.

Hoo-boy! Where the heck did that coach learn baseball?

No the ball was not dead and the appeal was good under FED live ball appeal. Your decision was correct (if the runner really missed the base).

If the ball were dead, a verbal appeal by any player or the coach would have worked also.

If the first appeal fails, under FED they can appeal again provided there is no play.

I am going to have to remember that one for the next board meeting ... the ball is dead when I put on my mask!

Unlike OBR, under FED rules only a legal or illegal pitch kills an appeal.

Too bad no defensive player stubbed his toe on 1B while in possession of the ball. You could have had an accidental force play whether your mask was on or not.

OZZY6900
 

The rumor is keep your mask on , you look better that
way just call arnie da mann he 'll agree lol hope to see
you at sport's plex this fourth of july weekend

mac # 97