Play on batter overrunning first without touching it
2016/7/15 16:56:07
Question
B1 hits ball to F6. Throw beats B1 but F3 (with foot on base) drops ball, which lands at F3's feet. B1 overruns first base, failing to touch base, then F3 picks up ball with foot still on bag after B1 has passed by. B1 is not tagged out before she returns to first. Base ump calls B1 safe. Defense appeals saying since B1 never touched first, she should be out once F1 re-gained possession of ball. Offense counters that once B1 passed first base, she is considered to have touched that base, and that F3 should have "appealed" safe call by tagging out B1 before she returned to bag.
What's the right call?
Answer
Dale,
The runner is safe unless there is an appeal before runner returns to first base. The offense is correct.
What the defense is looking for is often called an "accidental appeal". This is not allowed. Remember a runner passing a base is assumed to have touched the base, even if they didn't. It is up to the defense to make a proper appeal to put the runner out. In this case it would be a tag of the runner or telling the umpire that the runner missed first and touching first if the runner is not in a hurry to get to the base.
Tom
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