Dodgers-Mets Obstruction, Tag-Up & Pirates Out of Base Path

Dodgers 3B Max Muncy's visual obstruction and Shohei Ohtani/Michael Conforto's timely tag-up in New York and Pirates runner Alexander Canario's out of the base path calls feature in this rules analysis trio. How did the umpires do?

Muncy's Obstruction: With one out and a runner on third, Mets batter Pete Alonso hit a fly ball to Dodgers right fielder Toescar Hernández, who threw home in time to retire baserunner R3 Starling Marte, with HP Umpire Ryan Blakney signaling the runner out on the tag. 3B Umpire Tripp Gibson, however, called "Time" and ruled obstruction on Dodgers 3B Muncy, awarding Marte home for a Mets run.

According to the MLB Umpire Manual pertaining to official rule interpretations, Muncy committed obstruction by intentionally positioning himself to block R3 Marte's view of the fielder catching the sacrifice fly: "This is obstruction under Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(2). The umpire should call the infraction when it occurs and award bases, if any, in the appropriate manner."

Ohtani & Conforto's Timely Tag-Ups: Also in this game, New York unsuccessfully challenged 2B Umpire Marvin Hudson's call that Dodgers baserunners R1 Ohtani and R2 Conforto did not leave early (fail to retouch) second base on an outfield fly ball that was caught. Mets outfielders Juan Soto and Tyron Taylor briefly juggled the fly ball before Taylor ultimately caught it. Replays indicate R2 Conforto left second base after Soto's first touch of the fly ball, but before Taylor's eventual catch.

According to the Official Baseball Rule's definition of a catch, "Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball." This means Conforto timely retouched by leaving second base after fielder Soto's touch, even if he left before the bobbled ball was eventually caught.

Canario's Out of the Base Path Overslide: In Pittsburgh, HP Umpire Mark Wegner called Pirates baserunner Alexander Canario out at home for running more than three feet away to avoid a tag on a play at the plate. Runner Canario overslid home plate and, in doing so, Wegner ruled that Canario ran out of his base path, since the base path from the start of the tag attempt ends at the base to which the runner is trying.

OBR 5.09(b)(1) states, "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

Video as follows:

Rules Review - Passing a Base Requires Two Feet

The issue of passing a base took center stage when Replay Review confirmed 2B Umpire Doug Eddings' denial (safe call) of Philadelphia's appeal that alleged Marlins baserunner R1 Charles Leblanc passed and failed to retouch second base on a fly ball to right fielder Nick Castellanos and so that'll make it a 4-0 ballgame.

With none out and one on (R1 Leblanc), Marlins batter Bryan De La Cruz hit a fly ball to Castellanos in right field; with Leblanc running on the pitch, he arrived at second base before turning around to go back to first base to tag up. After the play, the Phillies appealed that Leblanc failed to properly retouch second base on his way back to first base, and that's where our past/prior rules discussion comes in.

In 2017, we discussed this same issue when Giants runner Brandon Belt was called out for running past second base on a similar fly-ball-to-the-outfield play, and, to summarize, the key concept is whether or not both of the runner's feet have passed the base in question before said runner has begun their retreat to a previous base.

Related Post: Past or Prior - Deciding When a Runner Has Passed a Base (7/1/17).

The MLB Umpire Manual holds the key to unlocking Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(1) (the retouch rule) and states: "A runner is considered to have passed a base if they have both feet on the ground beyond the back edge of the base or beyond the edge of the base in the direction to which they are advancing."

The accompanying diagram illustrates MLBUM's interpretation of what is considered past vs prior. At third base, the orange delineation line would be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to illustrate the same concept.

Video as follows:

Ask the UEFL - Laz Diaz's Postseason Base Touch Replay

When Cardinals batter Yadier Molina hit a fly ball to left field during the 2021 NL Wild Card Game, baserunner R1 Dylan Carlson rounded second base, only to retreat back to first base as Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor caught the ball. Los Angeles then appealed Carlson's base touch/retouch with 2B Umpire Laz Diaz's safe call upheld following Replay Review.

Although the crowd boo'd as Crew Chief Joe West signaled the decision—as did many of you who sent us a note asking us to cover this play—this call was correct due to the very definition of call stands, which is a Replay Review outcome that occurs when video evidence fails to clearly and convincingly prove whether (in this case) a runner was safe or out—whether the runner touched or failed to touch second base on the last time by going back to first base.

For what it's worth, the official definition of Call Stands is: "No clear and convincing evidence to confirm or overturn the call."

Video as follows:

A Tale of Two Touches - Last Time By in TB

Thursday's Red Sox-Rays game featured two retouch mistakes on the bases, resulting in a successful appeal for the first, while the second error was fixed thanks to the runner returning to the missed base and touching it.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Rays batter Randy Arozarena, with runner R1 Brandon Lowe on first base, flied out to right fielder Hunter Renfroe as Lowe ran to, past, and back from second base. The Red Sox appealed that Lowe had failed to retouch second base after passing it and while retreating toward first base, resulting in an inning-ending double play as the appeal was affirmed by 2B Umpire Phil Cuzzi.

In the top of the 9th inning, the play nearly repeated itself with Boston batter Hunter Renfroe's fly out to center field and baserunner R1 Rafael Devers failing to retouch second base on his way back to first to tag up, but unfortunately for Tampa Bay, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier threw wildly to first base, the overthrow allowing Devers to advance to second base and, in doing so, legally touch second, effectively erasing his prior touch error under baseball's last time by principle.

For more information about base touching and retouching rule OBR 5.09(c)(2), as well as the MLB Umpire Manual's official interpretation for passing a base, see our June 13 article on Rangers runner Adolis Garcia's improper base running in Los Angeles that resulted in an appealed out.

Related Post: Last Time By Touch Failure Costs Texas on Base Appeal (6/13/21).

Video as follows:

Joe West's Inning-Ending Base Touch Appeal Play

Umpiring fundamentals were on display Tuesday night in Chicago as 2B Umpire and Crew Chief Joe West taught a lesson plan of base touch appeal plays with an inning-ending double play during the Twins-White Sox game.

The Play: With one out and one on (R1), White Sox batter Leury Garcia hit a fly ball to Twins center fielder Jake Cave, who ran down and caught the batted ball for an air out as White Sox baserunner R1 Adam Engel prepared to scamper back to first base to tag up. While Engel did return to first base before a play could be made on him, the Twins noticed that Engel ran/slid past second base during the batted ball, and failed to retouch second base on his way back to first after the ball was caught.

Runner Engel fails to retouch second base.

The Call: Minnesota appealed through second baseman Jonathan Schoop that Engel failed to retouch second base and 2B Umpire Joe West was there to affirm the appeal, ruling Engel out for violation of Rule 5.06(b)(1), which states, "In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, he shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is dead under any provision of Rule 5.06(c). In such cases, the runner may go directly to his original base."

The rule putting the runner out is 5.09(c), which states, "Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when—With the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, he fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged."

Visit the following Related Post for a more in-depth discussion of when a runner is considered to have run "past" a base (and must therefore retouch it), but this discussion pertains to umpiring responsibility.
Related Post: Past or Prior - Deciding When a Runner Has Passed a Base (7/1/17).

Mechanically Speaking: The rule and call are rather elementary for most officials, but what I want to discuss here are the mechanics: specifically what our second base umpire does and what he puts himself in position to see.

Even with a ball in CF, West watches R1.

Notice that in a crew of four with a runner on first, 2B Umpire Joe West is working on the infield grass (Deep B or Deep C are the typical "in" positions for a 2B Umpire, and that's where West starts from). With West positioned inside, he knows he won't be leaving the infield to rule on any batted balls hit to the outfield and, accordingly, he has no responsibility as to Garcia's fly ball. But he does have a responsibility for runner R1 Engel's touch of second base, and watches the runner intently as Engel slides past second base and fails to retouch the bag on his way back to first base.

West knows this is a violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(1) and a potential appeal play pursuant to 5.09(c), and West keeps silent while remaining ready to rule on the appeal as soon as Minnesota executes it, which comes in the form of an appeal during the play—remember, the ball doesn't have to be returned to the pitcher prior to an appeal, but at the professional level, appeals must be executed during a live ball.

Little answers Engel's rules question.

Pick Up Your Crewmate: Finally, 1B Umpire Will Little is approached by a perplexed Engel and without missing a beat, explains precisely what West called and what the relevant rule is. Even if it's not your play, a good crew member is ready to explain a routine rules-related call made by a partner, as long as, naturally, the call is rather rudimentary as it was here.

Video as follows:

Past or Prior - Deciding When a Runner Has Passed a Base

Runner Brandon Belt was ruled out for failing to retouch a base based on the interpretation for passing a base, and specifically, the question of, "when is a runner said to have passed a base?"

Belt runs past second base on his way to first.

With one out and one on (R1) in the top of the 7th inning of Saturday's Giants-Pirates game, Giants batter Brandon Crawford hit a 0-1 slider from Pirates pitcher Tony Watson in the air to center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who caught the fly ball as Giants baserunner R1 Belt arrived at second base as part of a hit-and-run or stolen base attempt. As McCutchen completed his catch, Belt raced back to first base ahead of the throw, while Pirates shortstop Max Moroff called for the ball, claiming that in retreating to first base, Belt failed to retouch second base in violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(1), which states, "In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, he shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is dead."

After 2B Umpire Dan Iassogna ruled Belt safe on appeal, Pittsburgh filed a challenge and Iassogna's call was overturned via Replay Review, Belt ruled out at second base for having failed to fulfill his OBR 5.06(b)(1) responsibility.
Related (More about 5.06): Rare Real-Time Appeal Retires Runner over Retouch Rule (6/15/17).

With replays indicating Belt kept a foot on the second base bag before beginning his sprint back toward first base, the question, naturally, is when is a runner considered to have passed a base, and when is a runner considered to have legally retouched it?

Fortunately, the MLB Umpire Manual specifies an interpretation for this part of "passing a base":

A runner is considered to have passed a base if he has both feet on the ground beyond the back edge of the base or beyond the edge of the base in the direction to which he is advancing.

Interpretations Diagram: Past vs Prior.

Insofar as a play at second base is concerned, a runner has passed the base when both feet are on the left field side of the imaginary line that extends from home plate, through second base, and into center field (with the second base bag itself considered as part of the "not past" side of the field).

The accompanying "past or prior" diagram is the accepted interpretation for all situations where a determination is to be made as to whether a runner has passed a base, such as base award plays (e.g., Type B Obstruction or a forced-to-advance play [e.g., a walk]) or scoring decisions.
*Grammatical note: "Past" is used as a preposition, part of the phrasal "run past" verb, as in, "he ran past the base." The past tense verb is "passed," as in, "he passed the base."

Gibson observes the race to first base.

EXCEPTIONS: On June 29, umpires ruled Diamondbacks batter Eric Fryer out at first base after he overran the bag without touching it and Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was able to tag first base with his glove before Fryer returned to touch the base. Fryer had initially missed his touch of first base in trying to avoid Goldschmidt, who himself had missed his tag—1B Umpire Greg Gibson thus ruled Fryer "safe" (the mechanically correct thing to do).

The relevant MLBUM interpretation states that, "A runner does not acquire the right to an unoccupied base on an attempt to retire the runner until he touches it before he is put out."

In 2016, first baseman Hanley Ramirez tagged batter-runner Nelson Cruz, who similarly missed first base during a tag avoidance maneuver, affirmed as a real-time appeal out by 1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.

Another exception is home plate, as there is no base past home plate which the runner may advance: a runner never truly "passes" home plate—he just forfeits the right to retouch it upon entry into the dugout. If both the fielder and runner miss their touches (the fielder misses his tag of the runner, and the runner misses home plate), no signal shall be given and no appeal permitted (for the aforementioned "a runner never truly 'passes' home plate" reason); the fielder must tag the runner to retire him (unless the runner begins to exit the field, in which case, an appeal is authorized in order to eliminate a "catcher chasing the runner" situation). This doesn't apply, naturally, to a force play, where simply tagging home plate will retire the runner.

Video via "Read More" >

Rare Real-Time Appeal Retires Runner over Retouch Rule

Rules lesson: If your idea of an appeal starts with the pitcher on the mound, you're doing it wrong and opening up a can of worms known as "losing the chance to appeal." Furthermore, a team that waits for the standard pitcher-to-base appeal loses out on the possibility of beating out a scoring time play.

Yes, today's lesson is about strategy, appeals, and two types of appeal plays (Delayed and Real-Time).

Runner Bradley fails to retouch third base.

In 2013, we discussed The Retouch Rule 7.08(d): A Game of Acting and Knowing. That post covers runner's retouch responsibilities, while this one will cover appeals. To recap, although the modern number for this rule has changed from 7.08(d) to 5.09(b)(5), the language is still the same, and states that a runner is out when, "He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder. He shall not be called out for failure to retouch his base after the first following pitch, or any play or attempted play. This is an appeal play."

Rule 5.09(b)(5)/5.09(c)(1) is the "he left early" play, generally relating to the runner's base of origin.

Rule 5.06(b)(1) governs baserunning and states, "In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, he shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is dead."

Appealable: Failure to return to first base.

Rule 5.09(c)(2) states that a runner is out on appeal when, "With the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, he fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged."

Other appeal plays include overrunning/oversliding first base and failing to return to the base immediately, and failing to touch home base while making no attempt to return to that base (Rules 5.09(c)(3) and 5.09(c)(4), respectively).

Onto today's lesson regarding appeal plays and the problem with the standard pitcher-to-base appeal:

Recall Rule 5.09(c) Comment: "Time is not out when an appeal is being made" (except in NFHS ball and NCAA softball, for instance, where dead ball appeals are allowed, in addition to live ball appeals). Under OBR, appeals must occur during live ball action.

Furthermore, appeals themselves are time limited: "Any appeal under this rule must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play...If the defensive team on its first appeal errs, a request for a second appeal on the same runner at the same base shall not be allowed by the umpire."

There are two types of live ball appeal plays—Delayed and "Real-Time"—and the time limit provision of the appeal rule always applies to the Delayed variety, also known as the pitcher-steps-off-the-mound (or "Standard") appeal, which occurs when an appeal originates with the pitcher, with the ball on the mound.

Problems (for the defense) with the Delayed Appeal: Let's begin with a rule: "If a pitcher balks when making an appeal, such act shall be a play," which causes the defense to lose its opportunity to appeal. If the pitcher throws the ball into the stands while trying to throw to a base, or the pitcher makes a play on another runner, the defense forfeits the opportunity to appeal (e.g., the pitcher plans to appeal that a scoring runner left third base early. Another runner, R1, decides to try and steal second while the pitcher has the ball, and the pitcher throws to second base to attempt a play on R1. As a result, the defense loses its ability to appeal whether R3 left third base early). At this rate, why even risk giving the pitcher the ball?
Related: Leisurely Appeal with Runner on Proves Costly for China [Appeal with a runner stealing].

Related: Rule 7.10: How a Runner is Out on Appeal [Appeal at 3rd base with R2 trying to steal 3rd].

Real-Time appeals can prevent mistakes.

The "Real-Time Appeal": When an appeal is made during the play in which the rules infraction occurred (e.g., before the ball is thrown to the pitcher and play is reset), the time limit provision of the appeals rule is relaxed: Because other action may still occur during the continuation of a standard batted ball (or thrown ball) play, an attempted play on another runner, for instance, does not immediately cause the defense to lose its chance to appeal, as it does in a Delayed appeal. Also—and this goes without saying—appealing "in real-time" means that the pitcher won't balk and, thus, cost the defense the opportunity to appeal.

The MLB Umpire Manual refers to the Real-Time appeal's relaxed timeframe as, "the continuous action created by and following the batted [or thrown, or pitched] ball." Continuous action basically suspends the standard appeal time limit regarding plays or attempted plays until such action comes to a complete stop. For instance, if, with R1 and R2, a wild pitch or pickoff attempt results in both runners attempting to achieve two additional bases, and, the defense attempts to throw R1 out at third base as R2 crosses home plate, the throw to third base on R1 is deemed to be part of "continuous action." Therefore, if, after the play comes to a natural conclusion (or even prior to this point), the defense wishes to appeal at third base that lead runner R2 failed to touch third, that appeal is authorized since any throws on R1 would be deemed part of the continuous action created by the batted/thrown/pitched ball.

MLBUM looks for a "definite break in the original continuous action" before ruling that the "play or attempted play" time limit has begun: a Delayed appeal, as described above, qualifies as such a "definite break." A Real-Time appeal, as described in the preceding paragraph, does not.

Appeals are time plays.

The rule is also important to know because appeal plays, with two out, are time plays—if the inning's third out is recorded before another runner touches home plate, the run will not score. A Delayed appeal on a third-party baserunner has absolutely no chance of beating the scoring runner's touch of home plate due to the delay's definite break, but a Real-Time appeal retains that (remote) possibility. Appeals aren't force plays (unless, naturally, the runner's failure to achieve the next base would, itself, be a force out, e.g., a bases-loaded situation where the runner from first fails to touch second base).
Related: UEFL Series: Baseball Rules in the Real World (Fourth Out) [Appeals are time plays].

On Wednesday, the Phillies attempted such an appeal when, with one out and one on (R2), Red Sox batter Sandy Leon flied out to Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph as Boston baserunner R2 Jackie Bradley, Jr., running with the pitch, had to reverse course and retreat back to second base before the Phillies could retire him based on the base-of-origin retouch Rule 5.09(b)(5).

Appeals can be Delayed or Real-Time.

In his haste to return, Bradley, who had reached, touched and passed third base, failed to retouch third base on his way back to second, which drew the attention of Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis, who called for the ball and tagged Bradley while he stood on second base, appealing to 3B Umpire Stu Scheurwater for a ruling, resulting in the inning's third out as Scheurwater called Bradley out for failing to retouch third base on appeal, pursuant to Rule 5.09(c)(2).

Had this play occurred with baserunner R3 on third base, and had he tagged up and attempted to score, HP Umpire Jim Reynolds would have had to rule on whether the runner touched home plate before the out was recorded on Bradley on appeal.

U1 Wendelstedt rules on a Real-Time appeal.

In 2016, Boston first baseman Hanley Ramirez made such a "Real-Time" appeal to retire Mariners batter-runner Nelson Cruz after both players missed first base; Ramirez followed Cruz up the right field foul line as Cruz legally overran first base, and tagged him, appealing to 1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt that Cruz failed to touch first base, as in OBR 5.09(c)(2). After verifying the appeal, Wendelstedt declared Cruz out for failing to touch the base. Had there been a runner on third base who advanced to home plate during this play, the run would not count: "A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1) by the batter-runner before he touches first base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases" (Rule 5.08(a) EXCEPTION).

Conclusion: When on defense, always opt for a Real-Time appeal, when possible. The potential for error during a Delayed appeal may be low, but is nearly non-existent in Real-Time. As an umpire, understand which type of appeal the defense is attempting so as to properly enforce rules-prescribed time limits and regulations. Determine when continuous action has ended and a definite break has occurred. Furthermore, when entertaining a potential Real-Time appeal, always verbally or otherwise confirm the defense's actual intent to appeal. If the player fails to initiate some manner of communication to express their intent to appeal, then it is not a valid appeal play and should not be ruled upon as such. If the player holds the ball while touching a base/player and saying something of the sort, "the runner didn't touch the base," this is a valid appeal and should be ruled on as such.

Video via "Read More"

Clearing Up a Myth - Timely Retouch of a Bobbled Fly

Catching a fly ball obliges runners to retouch their bases before attempting to advance, lest they be liable to be put out for failing to properly tag up. This play is so common, it has its own name and method of scoring: sacrifice fly.

Kerwin Danley calls Utley safe at home.

During Thursday's Dodgers-Giants matinee, the retouch/tag-up rule came into question when San Francisco appealed that Dodgers baserunner R3 Chase Utley failed to adhere to the time provisions of the retouch rule: the Giants thought he left early.

Sidebar: The Giants first attempted to appeal after calling "Time," but as Rule 5.09 Comment states, "Time is not out when an appeal is being made." San Francisco ultimately executed the appeal after the ball was put back into play.

The Play: With none out and the bases loaded, Dodgers batter Enrique Hernandez hit a fly ball down the right field line in foul territory, where Giants first baseman Buster Posey attempted to catch the ball as baserunner Utley attempted to tag from third base. Posey then bobbled the falling ball before finally securing possession. Replays indicate that after Posey's glove first touched the ball, R3 Utley left third base; he had clearly broken contact with the base by the time Posey finally completed his catch. San Francisco's appeal that Utley left early, however, yielded a "safe" call from 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Bill Miller, who ruled that Utley had properly tagged up.

Analysis: What are the time restrictions on runners during sac fly plays? When is a runner legally allowed to leave his base to avoid being declared out on appeal?

Time to leave: Split-screen of the first touch.

For instance, if a fielder doesn't cleanly catch the ball, but bobbles the baseball before securing it, when is the runner allowed to leave? At first touch, or at final catch?

It's a fairly rudimentary myth of the game that a runner must wait until the fielder catches the ball before leaving, but it exists for a reason.

Rule 5.09(b) instructs the defense on how to retire runners, and states that the runner is out when—"He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder."

Indeed, the phase "legally caught," "after the catch," or a similar iteration appears throughout the rules book in regard to the retouch/tag-up play.

Only in the Definition of Terms under Catch, and reprinted as a comment in Rule 5.09(a), does the sentence, "Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball" appear.

Based on this seemingly hidden instruction, it's no wonder the confusion persists, but let all doubt be removed: the runner has legally fulfilled the rulebook retouch obligation on a caught fly ball at the moment a fielder first touches the batted ball (even if it's a different fielder than the one who ultimately catches the ball).

Video via "Read More"

Appeals: The Legalese of Reviewable Base Touching

Umpires consulted Replay Review on a base touch appeal play during the Tigers-Royals game. With one out and two on, Royals batter Omar Infante hit a 2-1 fastball from Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer on a line drive to Ian Kinsler, who attempted to double up Royals baserunner R2 Eric Hosmer, throwing the ball away as Royals baserunner R3 Salvador Perez ran through home plate.

Umps Nauert, Vanover, Carapazza & Hernandez.

After the Tigers executed a live ball appeal during which 3B Umpire Larry Vanover ruled Perez legally retouched (or tagged up at) third base, Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus elected to file a Manager's Challenge, Vanover signaled for New York, and joined HP Umpire Angel Hernandez in donning the replay headsets, landline to MLBAM HQ.

So... what happened? Was the play reviewable, was it actually reviewed, and was the correct call made?
Video: Tigers appeal, third out costs Royals a run (FOX)

Question 1: Was the play reviewable? The relevant regulation citation is Replay Review V.F.3.: "Base Running. The following base running calls are reviewable...Upon an appropriate appeal by the defensive Club, whether a base runner touched a base (see Rule 7.10(b) and Comment)." OBR Rule 7.10(a) is the relevant rule: "Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when—After a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged."

Answer 1: YES...but (see 1a), this play is reviewable and may be initiated as the result of a Manager's Challenge (or Crew Chief Review if after the 7th inning and the requesting team has previously unsuccessfully used its Challenge).

Question 1.a: ...But what of Replay Review Regulation V.D.2, which states that "The Umpire's judgment on whether a base runner left early when tagging up" is not subject to review?
Answer 1.a: Depends on Ausmus. The reason V.D.2 may not apply to this play is because Vanover's judgment as to the timing of when R3 Perez left third base did not have to be the subject of Ausmus' inquiry. Replay Review Regulation II.I is Specificity of the Challenge and requires the Manager to "inform the Umpire of the specific calls for which he is seeking Replay Review."

If the specific call Ausmus attempted to challenge was whether R3 Perez touched third base, as in Rule 7.10, which is reviewable pursuant to Replay Review Regulation V.F.3, as specified above in Question 1, the play may be reviewable. If the specific call Ausmus attempted to challenge was whether R3 Perez left third base before the catch (timing), the play is not reviewable. Vanover in post game comments stated that Ausmus challenged that R3 Perez "did not tag properly." This reason for request is too vague to parse whether Ausmus challenged a reviewable or unreviewable part of the play.

Let's get even more technical. Regulation V.F.3 states that "whether a base runner touched a base" is reviewable while V.D.2 states "whether a base runner left early when tagging up" is not reviewable. Thus, the physical act of touching is reviewable and the issue of timing is not reviewable. A retouch, which is "the act of a runner in returning to a base as legally required," is not specifically covered by Replay Review Regulations, but in the tautology of touch/retouch/tag-up/retag, etc., we see that only the extremes of a base touch and leaving a base are covered; the former is reviewable, the latter is not. Retouch falls somewhere in the middle and, therefore, may be technically subject to Replay interpretation.

Question 2: Did the Tigers actually execute an appeal?
Answer 2: YES. Contrary to the broadcast's remarks, the Tigers filed a legal appeal prior to Ausmus' challenge by stepping on third base (the alleged missed base) and appeal to the umpire for a ruling on R3, who had since scored. An appeal must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play, and must be made while the ball is alive. Though it is most common to see an appeal initiated from the pitcher standing on the mound after the umpire has declared "Play" following a dead ball, the rules allow for an appeal to be made during the same play sequence as the alleged offensive violation to be appealed, all while the ball is live. Had the Tigers not filed an appeal, the play would not have been reviewable (until a proper and legal appeal was filed).

I'll say it again. Contrary to the FOX broadcasters' claim, the Tigers did appeal at third base.

Question 3: Was it actually reviewed?
Answer 3: NO. Vanover and Hernandez spent two-and-a-half minutes on the headsets, yet MLB claims the play was not reviewable (and thus was not reviewed by New York). If the play was not actually reviewed (e.g., no decision was rendered by New York), the error is charged to the Replay Officials for not reviewing a play eligible for review via Manager's Challenge. If the play was indeed reviewed and resulted in an overturned call, this decision was proper and correct. Instead, it appears the on-field umpires reversed the original call after on-field conference with Vanover, Hernandez, 1B Umpire Paul Nauert and 2B Umpire Vic Carapazza.

Question 4: Was the correct call ultimately made?
Answer 4: YES. Video evidence is quite clear and convincing that R3 Perez failed to retouch third base.

I'll say that again, too. YES, the on-field umpires got the call right. R3 didn't retouch and was properly declared out on appeal.

MLB Instant Replay Review 628: Mike Everitt (05)

Instant Replay Review upheld 2B Umpire Mike Everitt's safe (proper retouch) call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Reds-Padres game. With one out and one on, Padres batter Alexi Amarista flied out to center fielder Billy Hamilton as baserunner R1 Everth Cabrera retreated to first from second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Reds Manager Bryan Price, Everitt's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Padres were leading, 1-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Mike Everitt (57)'s fifth Replay Review of 2014.
This is Crew Chief Bill Miller's 34th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 628th Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Reds Manager Bryan Price's 17th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 326/628 (.519 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. San Diego Padres, 6/30/14
Video: Play stands; Cabrera is ruled to have properly retouched second on appeal play at second (CIN)

The Retouch Rule 7.08(d): A Game of Acting and Knowing

When the umpires suffered a week of bad press earlier this season, Vin Scully provided a much-needed reprieve, so we thought we'd see what Scully had to offer tonight after some hotly contested ejections by Clint Fagan, Dan Iassogna and the controversial gum-throwing Jordan Baker. Fortunately, Vinny didn't disappoint.

Scully—the man that UEFL'ers in 2011 voted baseball's best broadcaster—paired up with the ever-affable CB Bucknor and colleague Rick Monday to educate fans about the finer points of the "retouch rule."

Rule 2.00 specifies a retouch is the "act of a runner in returning to a base as legally required."
Rule 7.02, which establishes that a runner shall run the bases in order, also orders runners to retouch all bases in reverse order if forced to return to a base.
Finally, Rule 7.08(d) requires a runner to "retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder." If he fails to do so, the defensive team may appeal for an out.

Bucknor praised after call at 2nd.

With none out and one on in the top of the 8th inning of the Braves-Dodgers game, Braves batter Andrelton Simmons hit a fly ball to Dodgers center fielder Andre Ethier as baserunner R1 Jordan Schafer ran with the pitch before returning to first base. Unfortunately for Schafer, the adept CB Bucknor and Dodgers second baseman Skip Schumaker saw a violation of Rules 2.00 RETOUCH, 7.02 and 7.08(d) and, after appeal, Schafer was called out to complete the double play.

Replays indicate Schafer slid headfirst into second base, rounded and took two steps beyond second base towards third and then, realizing Ethier was about to catch the baseball, retreated to first base without first retouching second base, the out call on appeal was correct.

And so was Scully, who said:

Let's take a look and see. There's Schafer going into second, the Dodgers trying to double team him... Oh, he rounded second, you see that? He went in and actually took two steps beyond second base and then didn't touch second base going back to first, so that was a great call by the umpires, indeed.

Unfortunately, the video ends before Scully's recap of the play following the mid-inning commercial break:

Schafer lost where the ball was and forgot to retouch second on his way back to first... He said "I touched the bag," but he only touched it once; he should have touched it twice. Heads up play by Punto, Schumaker and the Dodgers. Plus, a very, very good call by CB Bucknor, the umpire at second base. They always get boo'd at, but boy that was a great call by the umpire to spot it. 

Meanwhile, Braves broadcaster Chip Caray had a different take: "They're going to say he didn't retag. They're going to call Schafer out for not retagging, you see he touched it, he slid and stood back up and stepped right back on the bag and came back to first. Now Dale Scott saying, 'you overslid and didn't retouch. You have to retouch the bag.'"

After viewing the tape, Caray admitted there was no retouch, crediting Punto-Schumaker with a "great play."

Dodgers radio analyst Rick Monday spotted it immediately: "The Dodgers need to make the appeal to second base, he went past the bag and didn't retouch it on the way back—he's out!"

In closing, Monday said what we all are constantly thinking: "I'm still amazed at how many players play this game and do not know the rules—and I'm talking about basic rules... Both Schumaker and Punto should get an award for supporting cast...I'm sorry, this is the major leagues—that's basic. I'm amazed. Again, Schafer did not know where the ball was. Once he got up, he turned and looked at his third base coach but took a step toward third base—well, that's in the interpretation, an 'advance,' but even if you overslide the bag, you have to come back and hit it on the way back." Added Charlie Steiner, "you have to retouch."

Video: Schafer fails to retouch 2nd while running in reverse order, LA appeals and CB bangs the out (LAD)
[Context: On Monday, the Dodgers middle infield deked Padres R1 Chris Denorfia on a fly ball to deep right field in the 9th, allowing RF Yasiel Puig to complete a game-ending double play, as called by HP Umpire Mark Wegner after making sure U2 Tim Timmons was not also making a call]