Mens Slo-Pitch Softball... Appeal

Question
Runners on 2nd & 3rd... 1 out.  Flair into right-center... boy dives, field ump declares a valid catch... Runner on 3rd scores, runner on 2nd goes to 3rd... Time is called.

Team in field appeals SECOND LEFT EARLY... field ump agrees; 3 outs.  I argue the run counts since it appeal was after a Time-Out.  Field Ump agrees but then Plate Ump says "No... that runner left early also"!!

I argue that the Plate Ump has no authority to declare a "left early" play... since field team ONLY appealed 2nd leaving early... not 3rd nor both.

I want to understand how... on a dead-ball appeal... an umpire can make a call that...

1. wasn't appealed by the opposing team
2. wasn't called while the play was originally unfolding.

Thanks in advance
Steve


Answer
Good morning Steve,

The runner from 3rd would score with an appeal to second base for the 3rd out.  It is a "timing" play.  

The run would not score if the defense then appealed 3rd leaving early for what we call a 4th out.

The umpire has no authority to rule on a play where there is no appeal.  It is protestable as a misapplication of the playing rules.

Hope this helps
Mark