Saw something on TV that Made Me Think!

[blu_bawls]

If the catcher stepped on the base intentionally and not just walking over it, it's an out. They wouldn't have to say "They missed the base" before doing it.

So I could see the umpire calling the out.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

If the catcher stepped on the base intentionally and not just walking over it, it's an out. They wouldn't have to say "They missed the base" before doing it.

So I could see the umpire calling the out.

It is an appeal only if it is an appeal. Intentional stepping on the base is not the standard. The intent could be for a force out.

The fielder needs to communicate SOMEHOW that an appeal is being made. Sometimes, just stepping on the base is all that is required for the umpire to know it is an appeal. Sometimes, the fielder needs to communicate an appeal is being made. Umpires are not mind readers.

[blu_bawls]

The action of stepping on the base INTENTIONALLY is enough to constitute an appeal. Out is called.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

The action of stepping on the base is enough to constitute an appeal. Out is called.

No, it's not enough. PU must know that stepping on the base is being done as an appeal. Otherwise, you will/may have accidental appeals - where the fielder does not know that he/she is making an appeal.

[blu_bawls]

Your opionion is noted.

[mcrowder]

Nice.

Steve is right, bawls. Your dismissal is off base and could be called out on proper appeal.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

Your opionion is noted.

Speaking ASA

Not opinion, fact of life.

[blu_bawls]

Opinion also noted.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

Your opionion is noted.

Is an opionion another variety of those sweet onions?

Anyway, it's very cut and dried. If just stepping on a base is enough, why not go back to that old NFHS rule and just call them out for missing the base. That was a nightmare for those who were around. Anyway, they need to say something, even if it's "Hey Blue..."

[blu_bawls]

It's the intent that makes it an appeal.

[IamMatt]

Originally Posted by Dakota

It is an appeal only if it is an appeal. Intentional stepping on the base is not the standard. The intent could be for a force out.

The fielder needs to communicate SOMEHOW that an appeal is being made. Sometimes, just stepping on the base is all that is required for the umpire to know it is an appeal. Sometimes, the fielder needs to communicate an appeal is being made. Umpires are not mind readers.

Having (mis?)understood that the fielder touching the missed base was the correct way to do a live ball appeal, what would you need to see/hear or whatever to know that it is an appeal? Does the catcher need to say "she missed the plate" before/during/after she is stepping on it? Would the same be true of missing other bases, and would the fielder be required to say it loud enough for the PU to hear (one-man)?

Thanks. The more I learn the less I feel like I know.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IamMatt

Having (mis?)understood that the fielder touching the missed base was the correct way to do a live ball appeal, what would you need to see/hear or whatever to know that it is an appeal? Does the catcher need to say "she missed the plate" before/during/after she is stepping on it? Would the same be true of missing other bases, and would the fielder be required to say it loud enough for the PU to hear (one-man)?

Thanks. The more I learn the less I feel like I know.

To me, If there is intent.. if the catcher is just stepping on the base while throwing to the pitcher or accidently stepping on the base in the course of walking after a play, that is not an appeal.
If the catcher is stepping on the base with the intent that if the batter missed the base, its an appeal, I call it. I'm not there to appeal or invent an appeal for the defense .. in some ways its htbt and know it when you see it.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by IamMatt

Having (mis?)understood that the fielder touching the missed base was the correct way to do a live ball appeal, what would you need to see/hear or whatever to know that it is an appeal? Does the catcher need to say "she missed the plate" before/during/after she is stepping on it? Would the same be true of missing other bases, and would the fielder be required to say it loud enough for the PU to hear (one-man)?

Thanks. The more I learn the less I feel like I know.

Umpires are not mind readers. If we were, many of us would be doing something else.

It is an appeal play. An appeal play is when an umpire cannot issue a judgment on a violation until requested to do so by the offended team. The umpire cannot just guess what is unfolding in front of him/her, the team must request the umpire acknowledge the violation. Stepping on a base with no indication of cause is not a request, but a player simply stepping on a base.

[mcrowder]

blu has amended his statement to include the word intentionally ... which I think we would all agree with.

To answer the question as to what it would take for me, as umpire, to recognize this as an appeal instead of just a touching of the base, it usually presents itself. I can give examples, but they would by no means be exhaustive:

The most common is players/coaches yelling at the player to touch the base again, the recognition on the player's face that he needs to touch the base, and then the touching of the base.

2nd most common is probably the player stepping on the bag a second time and looking toward an umpire or pointing at the player.

Anything that leads you, the umpire, to believe that he's touching the bag separately from the original play is almost definitely an appeal.

[blu_bawls]

mcrowder,

I prefer to be called bawls, not blu. LOL.

Yes I did edit my post to include the word intentional.

Does anyone remember the Simpson's episode where Homer saved Springfield from total destruction when he prevented the power plant from melting down?