umpire ehics/rule violation

Question
Hey Dr. Ambrose, haven't talked to you in a while.  Had a situation arise tonight.  Don't know if it is a rule or falls under ethics.  Sweet and short.  (R1) crosses homeplate and continues to the dugout.  I was the 3rd base coach and I personally couldn't tell if she touched homeplate or not.  I watch the umpire tell the catcher that my runner did not touch homeplate.  The catcher in turn appealed and the homeplate umpire awarded an out.  3rd out of the inning and no tying run.  Lost the game but I won my protest.  Was the umpire wrong according the rule book or what.  I still like the umpire.  We don't have a linch mob.  Thanks, Jay

Answer
Hi Jay,

Nice to talk with you again.

I'm surprised an umpire would do this.  In ASA play missing a base is an appeal play BY the defense.  A runner passing a base is considered by rule to have touched the base unless it is appealed.

This umpire's UIC should have a little talk with him about keeping his mouth shut on appeal plays.  That's not his job.

mark