Expert: Andrew Senger - 8/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: This also happened in a JV game. Not quite sure of ruling. In the game runner on third with one out! Player grounds out to pitcher. Players all run in thinking 3rd out. Defense Players run into dugout. Offense assumes inning over. Runner on third does not touch home plate. Appeal was made after players in dugout. The call was inning over. Also if player would of touched home plate with proper appeal would the players have to come out of the dugout to complete the inning? What is the ruling on this?

ANSWER: John,

Once the umpire determines the runner at third has abandoned his base, he would be called out immediately. No appeal would need to be made.

If the runner from third had touched home before entering the dugout, the run would score. The defensive players can go anywhere they want to, so entering the dugout would not stop play. However, if the player with the live baseball were to enter the dugout, the ball would be dead and each runner would advance one base from the last base occupied when the player entered the dugout.

There is one exception to this rule. If the umpire in any way told the teams it was three outs, then the game would continue with two outs and the runners placed where they were at the time of the second out. This would occur because the umpire caused the situation, and it must be fixed as the umpires feel the situation would have been had they not made the mistake.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: In this case the ball was left on the mound. If this situation is appealed and all defensive players run in dugout and the offensive players take the field. Does play continue with two outs?

Answer
John,

After the ground out, there were two outs. The runner from third then abandoned his base, causing the third out. The ball on the mound has no bearing in the situation you gave. As I mentioned before, there would be no appeal needed; the call is an automatic out for abandoning a base. The defensive team does not have to do anything for the out to occur.