BASE Runner Misses Base

[@SpencerRaySanders]

I was the base umpire for a Little League majors-level game and the batter hit a home run. I was impressed with it and watched the ball, but then the defensive coach wanted to appeal saying the runner did not touch the bag. I felt stupid that I did not pay attention to the runner and I could not make a call. I got my ass chewed by my co-umpire about it. Now I know to keep my eyes on the player, regardless of how spectacular the home run is. I’m not a spectator, I am an officiator!

[@dannyshibleyjr145]

When u showed the appeal the ump couldn't see it his back was turned

[@rangerguy196]

Poor ole' Joe is getting a workout. 😂😂

[@fifiwoof1969]

The Joe I know would be at the buffet.😂😂😂😂😂

[@FactsMatter]

It would be useful for the umpire to at least turn toward first, where the play/appeal is happening, before calling an emphatic out. This is a big play. You will be scrutinized. Look confident and you will minimize negative impacts.

[@TheNicoyaforever]

Who the hell does that "reverse pivot"? It makes no sense to turn that way

[@SuperBababooey]

Joe wasn’t watching

[@presidentwehoa1]

Can anyone explain the root of the rule that doesn't allow the umpire to make the call himself without an appeal first? It seems strange that the umpire has to stay quiet about something they see that is clearly wrong in the game. Thank you.

[@duanemore2245]

Because of rules. The rule reads something like "The batter is out if after hitting a fair ball, the batter-runner of first base is tagged before said batter-runner touches first-base." Until the appeal is made the out can not be applied.

[@larryellington7064]

Years ago the rule allowed the umpire to call that missed base, it was changed to have the defense make the appeal.

[@fozzywxman]

Great question. It is a dumb rule. Either way you slice it, one team gets an advantage. If the ump points, the offense is tipped off and has a chance to go touch. By waiting on appeal, the defense has the advantage as there's no chance for a runner to beat a ball thrown back to 1st. And, with no appeal, you just let the offense cheat. Ultimately, it should be a delayed dead ball out after the runner touches the next base and all natural play stops.

[@russellcurtis2501]

@@fozzywxman It's not a dumb rule and it gives neither team an advantage. The rule prevents the umpire from coaching either team. By pointing and, as you say, tipping off the offense all blue is really doing is telling the offense they got caught. Runner knows he didn't touch the base.

[@darrenmcdaniel9195]

It's no the umpires call when calling a runner missing a base.. That always falls on the defensive team. The umpire is there to watch the play and call the obvious safe or out calls

[@DavidEmerling79]

I think he's making too big of a deal about how to pivot. As long as the base umpire is looking at the runner touching (or missing) the base, he's doing it fine. Also, he should mention that the defense does not have to throw the ball to the base that the runner missed. In this case, the runner missed 1st. The smarter way to do the appeal is to throw the ball to 2nd and tag the runner and inform the umpire that the runner missed 1st. The reason that is smarter is because; what if the runner (standing on 2nd) makes a break for 3rd when the ball is being thrown to 1st for an appeal? If the appeal is denied, the first baseman has to throw the ball completely across the diamond. This is particularly true if a runner (standing on 3rd) had missed 2nd. The smarter defensive appeal is to throw the ball to 3rd and tag the runner; that way, if the runner breaks for home during the appeal, there will be no need to throw the ball from 2nd to home.

[@traxxion94]

If the runner skips third and scores, is it the same process of appeal even if the runner is now in the dugout?

[@jcrows6627]

No. Pitcher must be on the rubber with the ball with new batter in the batter's box. The pitcher then steps off the rubber throws to third baseman who in turn touches the third base. Most time infielder will inform the umpire of the appeal just before it happens or after the play. Sometimes an infielder will tell the umpire they are appealing a missed the bag as the pitcher is holding the ball before he throws it to the missed base

[@davidstrotherssr.1683]

Yes ⚾️

[@jayz6105]

@@jcrows6627 The pitcher doesn't need to be on the rubber for an appeal unless time is called, as long as the ball is live and an appeal can be made at any time. The fact that runner went back into the dugout does not allow him to return to the field to play to get back to a potentially missed based.

[@hinney827]

@@jayz6105 That's only the case, I believe, if the runner was forced to 3rd. If there were runners on 2nd and 3rd, no one on first, the appeal has to be made after time is called - since the runner would not have been out by simply tagging the base as he wasn't forced.

[@jh.4770]

Yes it is if there's no time called/play is not dead. This happened in a Mets vs Dodgers game I remember. Ryan Church came around from first to score. He missed touching third base. The Dodgers didn't throw the ball back to the mound. They threw the ball over to third and Ryan Church was immediately called out. Ryan Church was in front of the dugout steps when he was called out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4q2lqOLqMmjaLs

[@Elsanta666]

Runner of 1st, he runs on contact touches 2sd base, ball lands foul. Does the runner have to touch second base again befor he returns to 1st base?

[@alcoraces]

No.

[@davidhall2197]

@@alcoraces The play becomes dead and runner can return directly to original base.

[@KR-wk8nd]

Can't you just tag him at second?

[@alanhess9306]

yes

[@LucasR013]

So why should I make sure the runner touches every bag when I can not call a play when he or she misses a bag

[@tobinfitness9444]

because if a team sees him/her missing a base and you dont, they will rip you apart

[@kevinkohn2809]

Because it is an Appeal play. If the other team sees the miss and then appeals to the umpire, you are obligated to call the runner out. Otherwise, you are not supposed to say or do anything other than notice the miss.

[@theautumnwind1161]

I saw the winning run miss third base on a walk off single in high school ball. And when they appealed I called it safe. I told my partner after the game and he said, "I saw him miss 3rd too and if you would've punched him out I would've kicked your ass" lol

[@alanhess9306]

G Vegas, If you are not going to apply the rules correctly you should quit umpiring and make room for an umpire with integrity to replace you.

[@javtimestwo]

G Vegas I think it is time G Vegas found another gig. Where is your integrity? Just terrible!

[@virgilklein7553]

The worst missed base I ever saw was the following situation: 14u, bases loaded, 2 outs, batter hits the ball out of the park. grand slam, except the runner on third went straight to the dugout without even getting close to home plate. Defense does a proper appeal. No runs score. Game ends 4-2 with the team who hit the grand slam the loser. Ugly.

[@BigSkyCurmudgeon]

never make the observation, or a call, while on the move....

[@fastfeh1]

He missed the base the first time! bad UMP call right off the bat!

[@csxfloridafunnelrailfan3065]

Umpire doesn't make a call on missed bases unless there is an appeal

[@zachansen8293]

This is a dumb rule. If you touch the next base or leave home base area without touching it should be automatically an out. and tell your camera man if you're using the camera mic the cameraman doesn't talk. ever. Of course the correct answer is to get everyone who is supposed to talk their own lavalier microphone. they aren't expensive anymore.

[@thanksfortrumpcnnmsnbcandh8771]

I’m assuming this applies to leaving early?