Ran across this one today. Good stuff.
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090412&content_id=4239682&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ariAndre Ethier(R3) was at third base, Juan Pierre (R2)at second, and with one out, Batter lined out to pitcher Dan Haren, who threw to second baseman Felipe Lopez, who tagged out R2 instead of tagging second base for the apparent third out of the inning.
But by the time R2 was tagged out, R3 had crossed the plate. The D-backs left the field without making a play on R3 at third base, which would have been the fourth out of the inning.
But as the teams changed sides, plate umpire Larry Vanover walked over to third-base umpire Charlie Reliford, apparently to discuss the play, which Dodgers bench coach Bob Schaefer pointed out to manager Joe Torre, who went out to appeal.
So what should have been done to get the fourth out? Why does the fourth out really matter in this situation? Enjoy and see you guys tonight!!!
If R3 left 3rd before the pitchers catch he would be out on appeal. It is not a force out on R2. The ball should have been thrown back to 3rd for a live ball appeal before the players left the diamond,otherwise R3's run counts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John on the point he made about the players leaving the field. D-backs should have made an appeal, to wipe the run out.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I disagree on the "not a force out on R2" statement. Are you sure it's not a force out if the player hasn't tagged up?
I think the player likely just tagged the player because he was closer, but it is a force out at 2nd, should he have thrown there (or walked over).
Taylor, A player must return to a base that he left early on a fly ball. He can be tagged or the player with the ball can just touch the base before the runner returns. However, it is not a "Force Out" as defined when a runner is forced to the next base by an advancing following runner. We discussed this situation specificly in the "Rookie" room this year.
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected. Rule 2-24, Article 5 defines it.
ReplyDeleteBut either way, he's still forced out, even if it's not in the definition :-D