Leaving base early on fly ball

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I now this has been covered before, but I couldn't find it.

Fly ball is hit deep to right field and caught.
First base runner leaves base before the catch and advances to second. (Or fill in any base you want.)

What are the permissible ways to retire the runner?

Can the runner be tagged while standing on second, and called out by the field umpire?

Does this strictly have to be a dead ball call, with the defense returning the ball to the circle and waiting for play to resume before appealing to the umpire on the runner leaving base early?

If it is strictly a dead ball play, what is the correct way to execute the play?

To keep it simple, let's assume we have good umpires that clearly saw the play and know the runner left early.

 

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The runner may be either tagged before safely returning to the base left early- even if she is standing on another base- or the base left early tagged before the runner returns. This can be done in the normal course of playing action, while the ball is still live, and as such is refered to as a live ball appeal.

Take the exact same play, but let's assume that neither the runner or base was tagged. The runner is now standing on the next base, play has relaxed and the ball has been returned to the pitcher.

A coach from the dugout shouts to the defense that "the runner left early". Until a proper appeal is made by the defense, the runner may remain at second and is not out.

If the ball is still live from the previous playing action, the pitcher could execute a live ball appeal and throw to get a tag of the base or the runner. But a live ball appeal has some drawbacks. The ball could be thrown out of play, with the runner then being awarded extra bases.

Here is where the option of a dead ball appeal can come in. The pitcher could request time, then once it is granted and without making any throws or touching any bases, make a dead ball appeal.

For ASA rules, all that is required to make a dead ball appeal is: time must be out; any infielder (including the pitcher and catcher), with or without the ball, may verbally appeal to the umpire. Simply stating, "The runner left early", would be an adequate appeal. It should be honored and the runner called out.

If the opportunity is there, the defense should take advantage of the dead ball appeal process, as this is the safest and surest way to record the out, without the possibility of overthrow or mistake that can cost your team.

When playing under rules that allow dead ball appeals, there is never any requirement for the pitcher to take the ball to the plate or circle, wait for it to be made live by the umpire, then step off or throw to a base. The appeal is made while the ball is dead, runners cannot advance, and the only two requirements are the ones listed above for ASA rules.

Hope all that helps. If not, let me know and I'll try to explain further.

By the way, one tip for executing your appeals: in the two-umpire system, the base umpire is responsible for all "touches and tags" (runners touching bases while running them or leaving early on caught flys) at either first or second base. The plate umpire is responsible for all "touches and tags" at third base.

So now, if your team has to execute an appeal, you know which umpire to appeal to!

 

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I almost alway learn something from Bretman's posts. Never even thought about whether the appeal should be to the plate umpire in some situations. What a great resource Bretman is. By the way, Bretman, are you still restoring/fixing gloves?

 

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Thanks for the kind words. I have learned a lot over the years from this and other softball-related message boards, so I'm glad to return the favor.

Yes, I am still operating my glove repair service from my home, as well as actively collecting antique and vintage gloves and baseball equipment.

And if all that's not enough to keep me busy, on the one night a week that I don't umpire games I am playing in an adult men's fastpitch league here in Columbus. If you're ever in the area on a Thursday night, stop by the Whetstone Park of Roses and say hi!

 

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We had an appeal this weekend (that we won) .. involving the first baseman's foot off the bag on a catch. Our coach did exactly what you posted. Before I read your post I did not know the procedure. Ask for time out and approach the umpire who made the call to ask if he would consider getting a 2nd opinion from his colleague. I was glad to see our coach did it right .. perhaps he reads the OFC ?;D .. I do appreciate knowing the way things are supposed to be done. Thanks. OOPS my comment referred to another post where you explained how to appeal a botched call .. anyway, you get the point. Thanks for the knowledge.

 

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A pulled foot on a play at first is one example that is specifically covered in the umpire manual. This is one of the most common appeal plays you will see and the procedure for how it's handled is pretty black-and-white. You even see this appeal made in Major League baseball from time-to-time.

On plays at first, when there are not other things to watch for, such as a runner advancing to home, the plate umpire is instructed to come up the first base line and watch for a pulled foot, running lane violation or possible interfernce/obstruction. He will often have a better view of the fielder's foot in relation to the bag, while the base umpire's view can be blocked by the runner or defender.

Good to hear that your coach did things by the book- and so did the umpires!- and the appeal process worked exactly as it should have.