Out then safe then out...

[MatthewPV]

Situation (major league rules): 2 outs. ground ball to 2nd. Overthrown to first. Runner attempts to advance to 2nd. Slides and umpire calls the runner out. End of inning...but the umpire finally sees that the ball is on the ground. In the meantime the runner has taken 3-4 steps toward dugout. Umpire then declares runner safe. Fielder then tags stranded runner then umpire calls him out. My question is...are there any rules that the umpire messed up? It was suggested that the arguement could be made that the ball automatically becomes dead when the 3rd out is declared, and after the umpire sees his mistake he can award the runner second base. Any help would be helpful. Thanks!

[Steven Tyler]

Sounds like the umpire put the runner in jeopardy with a case of horrible timing.

Put the runner back on 2B.

[tjones1]

Agree - put runner back on 2nd and play on.

[txump81]

I would agree with Steven. Since the umpire stopped play with the 3rd out, the runner should keep 2B. Like an inadvertent whistle or TIME call.

[MatthewPV]

Are there any rule references that I could use to argue that the ball is dead based on the fact it was the 3rd out?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by MatthewPV

Are there any rule references that I could use to argue that the ball is dead based on the fact it was the 3rd out?

No. After all, the defense could still appeal another runner (in a different play) after the third out is made.

[MatthewPV]

So this would be "unprotestable" since the umpire didn't mess up a rule? Would there be anything anyone could to protest his actions?