Official Ruling 95-01 Rule 7.10 Appeal Procedure On Runner
This discussion of Rule 7.10 attempts to clear up some confusion and a few myths about appeals made on runners. It should answer the following questions about making appeals:
a) How to handle appeals?
b) When does an appeal create a force out?
c) When does it not result in a force out?
d) When are runs voided on an appeal
e) What does it mean to "err" when making an appeal?
It is important to note that appeals are handled differently under high school, college and professional rules. Dixie Youth Baseball follows the professional rules without modification.
1) Umpires follow the traditional silent system when receiving an appeal. The umpire must wait for the defense to protest the base running infraction before making a call.
2) It is a myth that the defense can only appeal one time.
3) A time out may be granted before an appeal play is made.
4) Once the ball becomes dead and then is made alive, an appeal must be made before the next pitch or any attempted play.
5) Remember that the ball is alive during an appeal and runners are free to advance while the appeal is being made.
6) When the ball becomes dead, the pitcher does not have to step back off the rubber to make the appeal once the umpire calls "Play". The hurler can throw from the rubber if he wishes.
7) Successive appeals may not be made on a runner at the same base only if the defensive team "errs".
8) If there is more than one appeal during a play that ends a half inning, the defense may elect to take the out that gives it the greatest advantage.
9) When a batter is retired before he reaches first base, any runner or runners on base are not forced to advance.
10) To "err" means to throw the ball out of play into dead-ball territory when making an appeal after a dead ball has again been made alive.
11) If the defensive team attempts to appeal while the ball is still alive and throws the ball into foul territory, the umpire still has the authority to call out the runner for a base running violation, if the defense makes the ball alive and appeals to the proper base.
12) If a player is confused and appeals to the wrong base, the defense can still appeal to the proper base.
13) A runner or runners may score when the third out does not result in a force.
Effective September 30, 1995
______Wes Skelton, Commissioner