Runner on second and flyball hit to right center. The runner tags and advances to third with a catch.

Who is responsible for watching the runner if he leaves early or not?

Tonight this happened and we felt he left too soon. We appealed and took the ball to second base and stepped on the bag.

Field ump and plate ump both looked at the other and pointed and then both held up hands in the universal "I don't know" palms up gesture. It was almost liked they worked on it to get it that perfect that neither one knew and was passing the buck to the other.

In flyball situations who watches the leave early part?

Shame on U2. (base ump)

There are different responsibilities on different fly balls but with a runner on second base and a fly ball to right-center field, the base ump should easily be able to line up the runner and fielder to get a good look at the tag and first touch of the ball by the fielder.

This should be the BU. He is watching the tag and catch. Depending on the crew the PU may come up and cover third on the advance. Sometimes the BU will take it all. But either way the BU has the tag on the catch.

Thanks guys that is pretty much what I thought but wanted to make sure.

Alright, let's load the bases and say there's one out. Fly ball to shallow right-center. Fielder makes diving attempt, rolls, ball pops up and he grabs it with bare hand. Base ump signals catch. Runner from 3rd tags and scores. Runner from second was half-way, goes back, tags, and moves to third. Runner from first runs straight for second.

Defense appeals saying runner from 3rd left early. Umpire says no. Can the defense go and appeal another base?

Will give more details as to what actually happened at another time..

quote:

Defense appeals saying runner from 3rd left early. Umpire says no. Can the defense go and appeal another base?

Yes, they can.

Thanks pilsner. Dad wasn't sure and I had no idea.

Turns out the defense didn't appeal anywhere else so we basically got second and third "for free" since they did not appeal. Our parents were screaming about they had all screwed up and I just laughed at how bad both the defense and the umpires screwed up.

The base umpire first didn't make a very definitive call and then he went and asked for help. Shouldn't the plate umpire be watching third for the tag?

Yes, this is PU's call all the way. There is no way BU is getting all three tags and the catch.