Help me win a bet

[Fan10]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Has anyone ever seen this play occur at a level beyond tee ball? In over 30 years of umpiring, I have never seen the BR miss first base on this play.

Enjoy your season and be safe.

I'm just a fan, but I saw this happen last season in an NCAA Division I game. There were 2 out and a runner at 3B. No signal was given by the 1st base ump, and the 2nd baseman for the defense picked up on it immediately. He came running over yelling at the 1st baseman. And, the first baseman then tagged the batter for out number 3.

I knew that it was a rare play because in between innings, the umpires got together to discuss whether the run should count. After a brief meeting, the plate ump turned to the press box and waved his hands above his head indicating no run.

[BK47]

Bob and mbyron, your saying to "Safe" the BR then upon proper appeal by the defense call him out?

Why couldnt you just call him out on the first time by with emphasis just as you would call him safe if F3 had a pulled foot? Or is it more like calling a Runner "Safe" when advancing to a base even though he left early, or missed a base in between, then upon proper appeal from the defense calling him "Out"?

I've not seen this play however want to get it right if/when I ever do.

Thanks.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by BK47

Or is it more like calling a Runner "Safe" when advancing to a base even though he left early, or missed a base in between, then upon proper appeal from the defense calling him "Out"?

This. Always make the call as if he touched the base. If it's a close call, give it a big "safe" as you would if he really were safe.

[johnnyg08]

Because once the runner misses the base, it becomes an appeal play. An appeal must be intentional.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BK47

Why couldnt you just call him out on the first time by with emphasis just as you would call him safe if F3 had a pulled foot? Or is it more like calling a Runner "Safe" when advancing to a base even though he left early, or missed a base in between, then upon proper appeal from the defense calling him "Out"?

As others have answered, it's more like your second case. The reason stems from the BR's right to overrun 1B. The runner acquires the base legally by touching it, but he is treated as having acquired it when he passes the base (just as in other missed base appeals) until properly appealed by the defense.

But in the meantime, everyone on the field is expecting a ruling on whether the throw beat the runner. To stand there doing nothing (as we do for a play at the plate) gives the defense an unfair advantage, since the BR is 15 feet or more from the base he missed.

So we signal "safe" when the BR beats the throw to signal just that. If the defense says "But he missed the base!" and just stand there, then I tell them they can appeal that.

I've looked in the FED books and find nothing about this mechanic. It's a pro mechanic, and as far as I know it's the only one in wide use.