Appeal Play with Overthrow

[tsobe2000]

This situation happened as I was watching a game today in New Jersey:

Batter hits an inside the park home run, but misses second base. Upon completion of play, the defensive team appeals to 2nd base, with the pitcher stepping off the rubber and throwing to 2nd base. The throw is overthrown to the center fielder, who picks the ball up and throws to 2nd base.

The umpire deemed the overthrow a "play" and said the appeal was invalid...was this the correct call?

My impression was that the throw on the appeal is not deemed a play, so no play occurred and the ball stayed within the playing field. When the centerfielder threw the ball to second, the appeal should have been upheld and the batter-runner called out.

Thanks for any assistance.

[Rich_Ives]

This situation happened as I was watching a game today in New Jersey:

Batter hits an inside the park home run, but misses second base. Upon completion of play, the defensive team appeals to 2nd base, with the pitcher stepping off the rubber and throwing to 2nd base. The throw is overthrown to the center fielder, who picks the ball up and throws to 2nd base.

The umpire deemed the overthrow a "play" and said the appeal was invalid...was this the correct call?

My impression was that the throw on the appeal is not deemed a play, so no play occurred and the ball stayed within the playing field. When the centerfielder threw the ball to second, the appeal should have been upheld and the batter-runner called out.

Thanks for any assistance.

The overthrow was not a play. The umpire was incorrect. The appeal should have been allowed.

7.10 (d) An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play.

[robbyrudd455]

Note: In NCAA play, if runners advance on an overthrow of this manner, the appeal is disallowed. However, that doesn't seem like the case here since it's a HR.

[TomClarke]

The overthrow was not a play. The umpire was incorrect. The appeal should have been allowed.

7.10 (d) An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play.


unless it's thrown out of play, of course.

[bobjenkins]

unless it's thrown out of play, of course.


And, in FED rules (the OP doesn't specify the code), even if the ball is thrown out of play, the defense can still appeal.