Protested Game-Ending Appeal Force Play

 

A runner declared out for failure to touch a base cancelled a run on appeal, prolonging a tied ballgame and sending it to extra innings as the apparent winners filed a protest over the call. How will that protest play out?

 

Such is the question posed in this edition of Ask the UEFL, concerning a recent Federation playoff game between Lee County and Johns Creek High Schools in Georgia.

The common sense side of me says this is ridiculous, but the breakdown of the rules kind of explains it .

That being said baseball is a game of honor and respect, when it takes a team of lawyers to declare a winner it's a sad state of affairs.

I think the batter must touch first and game is over

I think the batter must touch first and game is over

 

 

That's the pro rule. In high school all runners who are forced must touch the base.

45 years ago in a softball game, bottom of the 7th, game tied, bases loaded, 2 outs, batter is walked. He joins in with teammates for a game winning celebration. Defensive team appeals that the batter-runner failed to touch 1st and the ump called him out, no winning run forced home. The game goes into extra innings. The batter who was walked and called out, 2 innings later gets a game winning hit. This time he runs to 1st.

Protested Game-Ending Appeal Force Play

 

A runner declared out for failure to touch a base cancelled a run on appeal, prolonging a tied ballgame and sending it to extra innings as the apparent winners filed a protest over the call. How will that protest play out?

 

Such is the question posed in this edition of Ask the UEFL, concerning a recent Federation playoff game between Lee County and Johns Creek High Schools in Georgia.

 

Controversy in Georgia. The appeal was denied twice. However, the state board of control (or something like that) overruled the others and said the runner probably touched third so it's only fair to play another game.

 

No video evidence. Just said "probably."

 

Not only that but they suspended the entire crew for the rest of preseason. For what? Enforcing the rulebook.

 

They've opened Pandora's Box.

45 years ago in a softball game, bottom of the 7th, game tied, bases loaded, 2 outs, batter is walked. He joins in with teammates for a game winning celebration. Defensive team appeals that the batter-runner failed to touch 1st and the ump called him out, no winning run forced home. The game goes into extra innings. The batter who was walked and called out, 2 innings later gets a game winning hit. This time he runs to 1st.

 

 

Similar story. Team A down 2 with 2 on. Guy comes to bat and hits a walk-off (His FIRST HOMER EVER). The dude in front of him misses 3rd. Team B appeals and they win by 1.

Similar story. Team A down 2 with 2 on. Guy comes to bat and hits a walk-off (His FIRST HOMER EVER). The dude in front of him misses 3rd. Team B appeals and they win by 1.

 

Wow. At least in my story the guy was able to redeem himself.

Wow. At least in my story the guy was able to redeem himself.

 

the worst part... I never saw that guy come close to hitting another one.