Improper Appeal Play?

[alhlod]

Division is Cal Ripken Majors (ages 11-12, 70' bases, 50' mound to plate). Here is the situation:

Top of 6th inning (last), visitors trailing 8-6, two out, runners on second and third. Batter hits grounder back to mound, pitcher throws over the head of first baseman, and out of play. Both runners score, and batter awarded second base. Defensive team calls for appeal play on "one of the runners", claiming that home plate was missed, but does not specify which runner. Home plate umpire then makes out call and ends game. Offensive coach protests that since the runner was not specified, umpire could not know which runner appeal was being made on...as such, improper appeal was made by the defensive team, nullifying the entire appeal. Official protest is filed by offensive team.

What's the ruling?

[moblue]

The defense should have specified which runner they were appealing on. It's just two runners, so they should have a very good idea of which one missed home. The appeal shouldn't have been honored until he was told which runner the appeal was on. It sounds like the offense has a valid protest which will probably end up causing the game to be replayed from that point on.

[mstaylor]

Yes, the defense should specify which runner they are appealing but that doesn't mean they can't appeal both runners. I would the appeal will be upheld but they will not cause the game replayed because it made no difference to the game. If they replayed they would just reappeal and the result is the same.

[Mr Umpire]

The PU should have requested which runner but the protest should not be upheld.

This is the reasoning. The defense can appeal both runners if they feel like it. So, after the PU asks "Which runner?" The defense can R3. PU calls "Safe." Then, defense says R2. PU calls "Out." So, there is no difference when appealing multiple runners at the same base.

It is better for the PU to request which runner b/c the defense may say the wrong runner and give up on the appeal. But, as you can see, they can do it for all runners which crossed HP on successive appeals. So, although the PU was wrong with the mechanics, the appeal was still done correctly minus clarifying which runner.

And, as MST stated, if the game is replayed from that point, the defense can just appeal again and this time saying both runners to get it right and game is over once again.