4 outs?

Question
We were playing in an tourney following ASA rules. We were the visiting team down 2-0.  There are 2 outs in the 4th inning. We were batting and a play in which there was a close play at home in which our runner slid in and everyone assumed she was safe.  Play continued and our next batter got in the box and proceeded to ground out to second resulting in the 3rd out.  The other team left the field and our team took the field.  The other teams scorekeeper questioned if the runner at the plate scored.  He said 'no', she was out.  Which obviously, caused a lot of confusion.  Both coaches were brought together and they determined 'by rule' that since the runner was 'out' at home, the run didn't score and the last batter did NOT record an At-Bat.  I couldn't believe either one knew that to be 'by rule'.  I accepted it and pressed on, but wondering about what happens in this case.  What would have happened if we would have scored 5 runs after that....would the runs be taken off the board and everything rewind to the umpires screw-up???  Thought you could help with this.

thanks
Mark


Answer
Hi Mark,

I don't know how much I can help with this without being there.  I am at a total loss to understand how this situation developed...2 outs... "close play at home..." either the umpire's arms go out to their sides or a fist goes up in the air.  At least 20 some people are watching for the call.  There has to be some type of call...out or safe, for everyone to see. There has to be, right then and there, did you have a play, a slide, and the umpire make no signal???  There shouldn't have to be a guessing game later.  Did the umpire just watch, make no signal and just went about their business??? and everyone played on, not questioning there was no signal?

Plus my "clicker" has 0-1-2-3 for outs, if I have an out, I record it and now know their are 3 outs and the inning is over.  I don't bring up another batter.

OK, there is a "god" rule that lets the umpire correct a mistake.  In this case if the runner was out, for the 3rd out, and the umpire missed it,(along with both score books and the official scorer, if the official scorer had any question they should have asked the PU) the solution is something I can live with.  I'm not happy about what happened but I can live with it.  Also by rule when the 3rd out of an 1/2 inning happens that 1/2 inning is over.

Your last q is much more difficult to swallow, you go on to score 5 or 6 runs and now the situation comes up.  It boils down to the 3rd out, when did it occur?  If on that play at the plate, I'm afraid as UIC I'm going to remove those runs and yes rewind it.  I'm going to be a real popular guy w/ that team but that umpire is done and I'll finish the tournament w/out them.  Their evaluation will also reflect what happened.

Best I can do

Mark