Runner slides past bag

[David Emerling]

Play: R1 and R3, 2 outs. Grounder to F5. He elects to force out R1 at 2nd. His throw pulls F4 off the bag to the left-field side as R1 slides past the bag without touching it. F4 then tags R1 as he attempts to scramble back to the bag. Before the tag, R3 has crossed the plate.

Does R3's run count?

Does the axiom, "a base passed is a base touch" apply here?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[mbyron]

As you've described the play, I've got a tag on a runner off his base. That's time play, and the run scores.

If the fielder turns around after the play and says, "he missed the base!" or something else that makes this an appeal play, then I've got a missed base appeal on a force play, and the run does not score.

As you know, appeals must be unmistakable. As you've described the play, it is not an appeal. I would give the defense until they leave the field to make the appeal.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by mbyron

As you've described the play, I've got a tag on a runner off his base. That's time play, and the run scores.

If the fielder turns around after the play and says, "he missed the base!" or something else that makes this an appeal play, then I've got a missed base appeal on a force play, and the run does not score.

As you know, appeals must be unmistakable. As you've described the play, it is not an appeal. I would give the defense until they leave the field to make the appeal.

Oddly, I found almost this exact play in my 2006 edition of BRD. It says, in FED, such a tag is still considered a force out. So, the run would not score. Under OBR or NCAA, it would be exactly as you described.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

Oddly, I found almost this exact play in my 2006 edition of BRD. It says, in FED, such a tag is still considered a force out. So, the run would not score. Under OBR or NCAA, it would be exactly as you described.

That ruling might be based on the now obsolete FED concept of an "accidental appeal." Since the current principle is that appeals must be unmistakable, I would apply the ruling at all levels.

[BretMan]

What is the section number for the 2006 BRD interpretation offered above?

The reason I ask is that sometimes this helpful publication can be kind of tricky to navigate if you don't know just what you're looking for. I couldn't find this in my 2008 edition.

Also, one of the sections noted as "removed" in 2008 had something to do with "reinstating a force out" and I'm wondering if that's the one you're referencing.

[johnnyg08]

I only have the 2008 BRD as well....if it helps, I'm pretty sure there's a case play in the MLBUM that I can look up if you're interested...but w/o looking it up, I'm pretty sure a missed base is considered a touched base from an appeal standpoint..