Proper Appeal

[Four Seam]

This thread relates to Irish Mafia's thread about a batter-runner failing to touch the orange part of a double base, but I'd like to ask a broader question about appeals.

The question is what constitutes a proper appeal?

Case 1. Base runner leaves third base before fly ball is caught in outfield. Defense plays ball to third base before runner can get back. Is it necessary for the third baseman to complete the appeal by saying to the BU she left too soon? Or does the mere act of playing the ball to third base and tagging the base complete the appeal so the runner is out? Am I right that the simple answer is no, she does not have to say anything to the BU?

Case 2. a. Base runner rounds third, missing the bag, and heads for home.
a.Ball is played to third base by defense and bag is touched before runner gets back to third. Is it necessary for third baseman to tell BU she missed third base to complete the appeal? Or does the mere act of playing the ball to that base and touching the base complete the appeal?

b.Runner gets back to third base and is standing on bag when third baseman catches ball and tags third base. Can she still be called out on appeal for missing the base? (Answer is obviously no, but I need to show this case for comparison to Case 3b below.)

Case 3. Batter-runner overruns first base after touching the white part of a double base instead of the orange part, ahead of the ball being caught by first baseman.
a. First baseman makes nice stretch and catches the ball with her foot touching first base before runner returns to first base. Is it necessary for first baseman to tell BU she missed the orange part of the bag, or does the mere act of touching the bag complete an appeal? Or is any appeal necessary...runner is out because she was in effect beaten by the throw because bag was touched before she touched orange part of base?

b. First baseman catches the ball, but before she touches first base or tags the runner, the runner gets back to first base and stops on the white part of the bag. First baseman then tags bag and appeals that runner missed the orange part of the bag. Is runner out, or does her having got back to the base before the appeal was made make her safe? Is this situation any different from Case 2b. above?

Thanks for replies from all blues who have patience to wade through this overly long thread.

[Dakota]

On any live ball appeal, if it is clear from the playing action that a live ball appeal is being made, no verbal or other indication by the defender is necessary. This is true for most "leaving early on a caught fly" live ball appeals. It is obvious to everyone, including the umpire, what the defense is doing.

However, on any live ball appeal where the purpose of the tag of the base is ambiguous, it is necessary for the fielder to make it clear somehow to the umpire that an appeal is being made and what is being appealed. This ambiguity can be because the players action could be just a late throw to 1B, because there may be more than one runner on base (which runner is being appeal for what), etc.

In no case can a runner be appealed for leaving early or missing the base she is standing on when the live ball appeal is made. (In the case of the double base situation, the crux of the disagreement was is standing on the white base the same as being on the base missed; IOW, the BR can "return" to the white to negate the miss of the orange, but... well, that is for on that thread...)

In no case will an accidental live ball appeal be honored in ASA. "Accidental" means the fielder does tag the base, but without actually knowing she was making a live ball appeal (e.g. walking the ball in and happens to step on the base).

Hopefully, with these guidelines, you can apply them to your various situations.

[Four Seam]

Thank you, that is a very helpful explanation of appeals.