Appeal procedures and guidelines are covered in Rule 8 of the NFHS Rule Book.
Rule 8-2: Touching, Occupying and Returning To A Base
· A runner shall touch first, second, third and then home plate in order.
· A returning runner shall retouch the bases in reverse order. If a batted ball is an uncaught foul or goes out of play, a returning runner is not required to retouch any bases.
· Any runner who misses a base while advancing may not return to touch it after a following runner has scored.
· If a runner desires to touch a missed base, or a base left too early, he must do so immediately. If the ball becomes dead and the runner is on or beyond a succeeding base, he cannot return to the touch the missed base.
Leaving a base on a caught fly ball before the ball is first touched. Note: It should be emphasized that a runner does not have to wait until the ball is actually "caught" to legally tag up. If the ball is bobbled by the fielder and then caught by that fielder, or any other fielder, before the ball touches the ground, the runner can legally tag up when the ball was initially "touched".
Rule 8-2-6: Appeal Procedures and Guidelines
Appeals can be initiated during Live Ball or Dead Ball situations. There are two types of Appeal Plays.
· Live Ball Appeal: A live ball appeal occurs during a live ball situation when a defensive player who has possession of the ball either touches the base missed by the runner, or tags the runner who committed the violation if that runner is still on the playing field.
Dead Ball Appeal: There are two situations under which a dead ball appeal can be made.
Once time has been called after the completion of play, a coach or any player (with or without the ball) may make a verbal appeal concerning a runner missing a base or leaving a base too soon on a caught fly ball.
If the ball goes out of play and is declared dead, a dead ball appeal can be made AFTER the runners have been given the opportunity to complete their base running responsibilities.
Note: It must be understood that the ball must be dead before a dead ball appeal can be made. If a player or coach attempts to make a dead ball appeal during a live ball situation, that appeal will be ignored. Note: Notice the word "ignored". The umpire should simply not acknowledge the "improper" dead ball appeal. The player or coach can still call "time" and make the appeal again prior to the next legal pitch.
Rule 8 also covers all base running situations. There are instances where a runner is out without an appeal being necessary. Sometimes these situations occur simultaneously in conjunction with another runner who is subject to an appeal play during the same play.
Below is a situation which can occur involving two runners which do and do not involve an appeal play for both to declared "out".
Situation: R1 is on second base with one out. B2 hits a home run over the center field fence. R1 touches third base and stops short of touching home plate while he is waiting to congratulate B2. B2 passes R1 and continues past R1 as he touches home plate. Both R1 and B2 head to their team dugout, and R1 still has not touched home plate. Ruling: In this situation there is an "out" declared and an opportunity for an "appeal". Since R1 is still a runner until he touches home plate, B2 is ruled out for passing R1, no appeal necessary. (Rule 8-4-m states a runner is out when he passes an unobstructed preceding runner before such runner is out). R1 will also be declared out if a proper appeal is made by the defensive team prior to the next pitch. If no appeal is made, R1 is not out and his run is allowed.
In the above situation, when does R1 give up the right go back and touch home plate? The "note" to Rule 8-4-p covers this and is quoted as follows:
Any runner, after reaching first base, who leaves the baseline heading for the dugout or his defensive position believing there is no further play shall be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases.
The rule states the runner will be declared out, but R1 would not automatically be declared out in this situation because R1 thought he had completed his base running requirements. The point is this: The umpire does not have to wait until any player actually enters the dugout to rule. In this particular situation, if the opposing team tags R1 before the ball becomes dead, he will be out. If R1 made no obvious effort to go back and touch home plate prior to the defensive team asking for time to make a dead ball appeal, time will be granted and the appeal will be ruled successful (R1 declared out).
It should be noted that this rule of abandonment with respect to the runner who has reached first base is different that the rule of abandonment for a batter. The batter is entitled to attempt to advance to first base after a dropped third strike by the catcher. The batter does not forfeit this right until he enters the bench or dugout area, or all defensive players have left the field of play.
