CLARIFY LEAVE EARLY AND OUT

Question
Previous answer:

"I assume F4 caught a fly ball or line drive.  If F3 gains possession of the ball and touches the bag before R1 can return, what you have is a live ball appeal of a base left too early and an out.  This is not a force play.  ps a tag would also work."

I'm interpreting this as since the runner left early they cannot be doubled off first... it was a play before a play effectively?  If the appeal is made on the runner (first play) does the batter remain out (following play)?  It would seem to me the failure to call the runner out for leaving early is lost once the ball is allowed to remain live... we generally see this as "DEAD BALL, RUNNER LEFT EARLY" upon the pitch.

Answer
Hi Patrick,

It's sometimes difficult to determine the exact meaning of a question. I read the question as R1 left the base legally but early as in a caught line drive which would require R1 returning to the base or be put out with a completed live ball appeal of a base left too early on a legal catch.

You are correct that if the OP meant illegally before the ball left the pitcher's hand (fp) or reached the front edge of home plate (sp) we would indeed have a dead ball, R1 out and no pitch.  This situation is not an appeal play but called by the umpire as soon as it happens.

Mark