Bases Loaded Walk Ends Game (or does it?)

[josephrt1]

OK, the umpire will have to hang out and see if after the celebration she goes to touch 1st base. If she never does touch the bag and eventually enters the team area, the umpire will make the out call at that time and call all the players back onto the field for the 8th inning.

I'm fine with that position, but the key then is that the umps would have to wait and see. They can't leave the field like they could if this was an appeal situation.


PLAY 8.1-3 (ASA 2012 Case Plays)
With one out, bases loaded and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh, B5 walks on four pitches bringing in the winning run. B5 joins in the celebration and is reminded to go to 1B by a coach.

The defense appeals (a) that B5 was out of the base path, (b) that B5 was aided by a coach while the ball was in play, and (c) that B5 did not go directly to 1B. The umpires rule all runners safe once the batter-runner reaches 1B.

RULING: In (a), there is no penalty for leaving the base path since B5 was not avoiding a tag. In (b) verbal instructions are not considered aiding the runner. In (c) B5 did not enter the dugout or leave the field of play, so there is no penalty. In all cases, the run counts and the game is over. (8-1C)