Saw something on TV that Made Me Think!
 

I was watching ESPN and saw a play that made me think. I don't know if bases where loaded or not, but R1 attempting to score from 3rd, missed home. The catcher had bobbled the ball and instead of tagging the runner, just stepped on home. The umpire called him out. I'm wondering how this applies to softball. Any time a runner misses a base, can they just step on the base for an out (live ball appeal)? It doesn't matter that the runner was still on the playing field attempting to make it back to the missed base, does it?

Thanks!

Yes, they can, so long as they somehow let the umpire know it is an appeal for the missed base. ASA does not recognize "accidental" live ball appeals. What the runner is or is not doing does not matter so long as the runner does not return to touch before the appeal is made.

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.

The action of stepping on the base INTENTIONALLY 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.

Your opionion is noted.

Nice.

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

Speaking ASA

Not opinion, fact of life.

Opinion also noted.

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.

Is an opionion another variety of those sweet onions?:D

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..."

It's the intent that makes it an appeal.

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.