Check Swing Appeal

[Tom H.]

Originally Posted by martynva

R1 with 3-1 count on the batter. Batter attempts to check swing, PU calls "ball". When BR is half way to first, catcher finally asks PU to appeal to FU, and FU says "Yes, he went". By now R1 is on second. F3 says "hey, he needs to come back to first" and Runner obliges and returns to first. No Problems, but ...

What if Runner stayed at Second? Live ball, why should he return?

What if F-3 called for the ball and tagged the runner as he returned to first? Again, live ball, no requirement to return, shame on him for listening to F3?

ok let me try again....... (boy I am a dumb a**!)

Well, I have made a similar mistake as U3.....If the PU (or catcher/DT) waits that long for an appeal then go with the call at the plate. Otherwise it opens up a sh*t house (personal experence here....story for another time)

If the R1 who is now on 2B made it without being tagged then he 'stole' the base.
No he does not have to return (and if I was there I REALLY would hope not!). If FED Ball one could call OBS (Fed has verbal) and award 2B (once again a sh*t house)
If F3 calls for the ball and tags R1 off the base then we got an out.

Darn, any way you look at it (well, am sure that someone else will look at somethin - else - that I missed) the whole thing turns into crap.

The lesson learned my brothers is not to set yourself up for that house of crap.