R2 R3 with one out.

Long fly ball to RF.

Both runners are off at the crack of the bat.

Ball is caught at the wall by the RF.

R3 is not yet to the plate. R2 has rounded 3rd base and is about to catch R3.

R2 realizes the ball has been caught and heads back to 2B. However, he cuts through the infield rather than re-touching 3B.

R3 doesn't go back and instead touches the plate and heads for the dugout.

 

Offense appeals R2 stating that they did not re-touch.

Ump agrees and calls R2 out.

Now what? Does the run count?

How would the run count? He didn't tag up?

I'm guessing the run counts because they didn't appeal to 3rd base.

Since it was an appeal, the play was over. The run counts when the runner crosses the plate, unless the defense appeals to the base in which the runner left. Since they appealed to 2nd base (instead of 3rd), the run counts even if the ump rules that R2 is out on appeal.

Since it was an appeal, the play was over. The run counts when the runner crosses the plate, unless the defense appeals to the base in which the runner left. Since they appealed to 2nd base (instead of 3rd), the run counts even if the ump rules that R2 is out on appeal.

 

That's my interpretation as well.

There is nothing preventing the defense from also appealing the runner at 3B in addition to the runner at 2B (which they already successfully completed). Successive appeals are allowed, just not on a runner at the same base (i.e., you can't make an error on an appeal of a runner and then try to appeal that runner again). So, in answer to your question, if the defense doesn't appeal R3, the run counts. If the defense is smart, however, they also appeal the runner at third and he would also be called out and no run would score.

Since it was an appeal, the play was over. The run counts when the runner crosses the plate, unless the defense appeals to the base in which the runner left. Since they appealed to 2nd base (instead of 3rd), the run counts even if the ump rules that R2 is out on appeal.

 

An appeal is not a "play." You can make multiple appeals, just not on the same runner. An appeal on one runner does not preclude the possibility of making an appeal on another runner.

No run counts , defense can appeal R2 for not retouching third and also appeal R3 for not tagging up . No run scores inning over and Defense now becomes offense and probably has a big inning due to the MENTAL BREAKDOWN of the base runners .

Is this the rarely seen "4th out appeal?"

Is this the rarely seen "4th out appeal?"

 

Yes. If there is more than one appeal during a play that ends the inning, the defense may elect to take the out the is most advantageous to them.

There was a game in 2007 where the defense did not appeal the runner on 3rd but the umpire did not count the run. The crew chief went in between innings later in the game and read the rulebook. He came back out and told the scorer to add a run.

There was a game in 2007 where the defense did not appeal the runner on 3rd but the umpire did not count the run. The crew chief went in between innings later in the game and read the rulebook. He came back out and told the scorer to add a run.

 

Curious. So, apparently he corrected his "mistake". But, I'm wondering how long does this ability go? If he would've done it immediately (during that changeover) I could understand it. (I'm assuming that once the defense leaves the field, they lose their ability to appeal any plays.) However, suddenly awarding a team a run later in the game can change the whole scope of the game itself...whether that's an inning later, or especially several innings later. You will play the game differently if you're a run down, tied, or a run ahead. I can't imagine the chaos this would've caused if it had been a tie game, in the bottom of the ninth, and he suddenly comes out and gives a run to the home team and says "Game over"!

Is this the rarely seen "4th out appeal?"

I agree with this!

Isn't R3 out as soon as he heads toward the dugout because he didn't tag? He would be out of the baseline, right?

Isn't R3 out as soon as he heads toward the dugout because he didn't tag? He would be out of the baseline, right?

 

1. R3 ran from third to home and actually touched the plate.

2. Out of baseline only comes into play when someone is trying to make a play on a runner. He could have ran zig zags to home as long as he wasn't trying to avoid being tagged.