2 outs defense leaves field...call?

[youngump]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

OK, been thinking about what I said earlier about ignoring the touch of third because the runner was not actually running the bases. And I agree it's problematical.

However, take this a half-step further.

Instead of third - for some reason R1 heads toward home, perhaps to pick up a discarded bat or something. She inadvertently touches home plate, then proceeds into the dugout, with the defensive team leaving the field as well.

If you consider touching 3rd in the OP as a baserunning touch, where runner needs to return to 2nd before 1st... then in this sitch, her touch of home was a SCORE. The defense leaving the field would mean they cannot appeal the 2 missed bases.

Except there are only two outs. And I'm pretty sure when you bring them out, and the runner from first trots back out and you tell everybody that she's scored that during the ensuing storm you'll end up getting an appeal.

What else are you going to do? Call her out for leaving the field and ignore the fact that she touched home? You could get her for running the bases in reverse order. End result will be the same in all three, no run and three outs. And you'll only seem crazy if you make the call that seems to be supported by rule.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by youngump

Except there are only two outs. And I'm pretty sure when you bring them out, and the runner from first trots back out and you tell everybody that she's scored that during the ensuing storm you'll end up getting an appeal.

What else are you going to do? Call her out for leaving the field and ignore the fact that she touched home? You could get her for running the bases in reverse order. End result will be the same in all three, no run and three outs. And you'll only seem crazy if you make the call that seems to be supported by rule.

Unfortunately, this is one of those cases where common sense is not the correct call. I'm referring to the rule as written, not common sense or whether the umpire would seem crazy or not.

[Dakota]

The rule about the defense leaving the field of play removing the right of appeal is INTENDED to be applied at the end of an inning / game, but this is not the end of the inning. But, the rule does not actually SAY end of the inning / game (ASA), so a literal application could nullify some of the potential craziness!

Regarding touching bases, we can only rule on what players actually DO, not what they intended to do. We don't recognize accidental appeals, because an appeal (by rule) must be properly made, however, we do recognize accidental base touches for any other purpose by either the defense or offense.

In the case of the runner touching 3rd, I don't see how you could "correctly" ignore that; but the chances are, the defense won't be smart enough to appeal it.

With touching home, youngump, are you suggesting ignoring the touch of home to make life easier on the umpire?

This play is already a cluster f---, so you may as well be correct!

[youngump]

Originally Posted by Dakota

With touching home, youngump, are you suggesting ignoring the touch of home to make life easier on the umpire?

No, just pointing out that it would make life easier. I don't think there's a rulebook leg to stand on not scoring the run and calling her out on appeal so that's what I'd do.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by youngump

No, just pointing out that it would make life easier. I don't think there's a rulebook leg to stand on not scoring the run and calling her out on appeal so that's what I'd do.

Note the smilie... I was pokin' at ya!