Live ball appeal

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by txtrooper

We should hesitate on the safe call in this situation...

Agree that it is the proper procedure when the runner misses the plate and the fielder misses the tag. In that case, our safe signal is a ruling on the tag attempt.

Bugg clearly states that there was no tag attempt made by the catcher. Thus, there is nothing to signal.

Interesting point and question about how NSA might handle this play. You guys that work baseball would be familiar with that. There, if the runner is actively scrambling back to touch the plate (or, first base after overrunning it, for that matter) an actual tag is required. You can't get the out just by stepping on the plate with the ball unless the runner is making no attempt to come back and touch.

[greymule]

"Does ASA (or other rule sets) specifically address missing home plate?"

ASA gives a case play in which F2, touching home plate, appeals immediately after a runner misses home. The ruling is that the runner is out. ASA allows immediate appeals at all bases and has no "vicinity of the base" or "attempting to return" stipulations.

However, that case play is actually presented to make a different point, which I can't remember offhand. Something to do with a successful appeal of home having some effect on other runners. Still, the example of the successful appeal is helpful.

The fact that NSA specifies and makes no attempt to return leads me to believe that they would call it as in OBR: if the runner is in the vicinity and scrambling back to the plate, it's too soon for an appeal, and F2 would have to tag the runner.