Retouch base after foul ball

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by onetime1

Was watching a high school baseball game here in Wisconsin over the weekend. Crazy scenerio occurred to end the game. Score is 2-1 home team in the lead top of the 7th. Bases loaded one out. The batter hits a long foul ball down the right field line. All 3 runners are tearing around the bases when the home plate ump yells "foul" runners return to their bases. After the next pitch which was a ball low the base umpire comes flying in toward the plate and calls 2 of the baserunners out for failing to retouch their respective bases following a foul ball. What a weak ending to this exciting game. Is this correct? Is there a rule that supports doing this?

How did the protest go?

8-2-2 The umpire will not make the ball live until the runner returns to the appropriate base.

Guess who blew it - not the runner. And there's no penalty specified.

ALSO, in any event any missed base or failure to tag is an appeal by the defense. The umpire cannot initiate it on his own.

AND, no appeal can be made after the next pitch or play.

Bottom line: BLOWN ROYALLY!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

How did the protest go?

No protests allowed in HS games in Wisconsin. So not very well, I'm guessing.

OP, where was this game? Can you post the location or send me a PM?

[asdf]

Wisconsin??

Can't help but wondering if the base umpire works basketball as well.

[SanDiegoSteve]

The only time this should ever be enforced, and is the purpose behind the rule, is when the runners intentionally linger and don't go anywhere near their base, and are trying to gain an advantage by getting closer to the next base without being detected.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

The only time this should ever be enforced, and is the purpose behind the rule, is when the runners intentionally linger and don't go anywhere near their base, and are trying to gain an advantage by getting closer to the next base without being detected.

The trick is ... it's really a completely unenforceable rule. They can't be out until the ball is live... but the ball can't be live until they return.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

The trick is ... it's really a completely unenforceable rule. They can't be out until the ball is live... but the ball can't be live until they return.

That's why the BU has to observe the runners get close to the base. I turn around and watch R2 until I feel he is close enough, then I turn back around and forget about him.