Dodgers get run on 'fourth-out rule'
Weird situation unearths one of baseball's rule quirks.
7 months ago
Neifi Puppy
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I've read the article twice, watched the play...
…and I still don’t get it. What am I missing?
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
by calicubfan on Apr 13, 2009 4:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The run counts because Ethier had crossed the plate prior to the third out.
Ethier would have been ruled out and therefore not eligible for the run had there been an appeal at third base. Obviously if a runner does not tag, you can appeal once the play is over and the out is recorded, the runner ruled out. In this instance, the inning ended and there was no appeal so the run stands because Ethier scored prior to the third out. Once the half inning had concluded you cannot appeal so the coaches were able to clarify the scoring with ump at that point. I understand how this works, but I know this explanation may not do it justice. Let me know if this does not make sense and I will take another crack at it. It is the correct call though. Props to the dodgers bench coach on noticing the situation.
by careyrd on Apr 13, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see why this is considered so weird
I mean, it’s basically the same as the distinction between the last out being on a force or not….the runners are allowed to advance until the out is actually made. Yes, it’s a subtlety, and this has the complication of the runner having left third too early and being vulnerable to an appeal play, but the kinds of headlines that are being put on this make it sound like a warp in the universe or something!
"[I]f we get a Jumbotron, I can't pull the instant replay thing on all the rookies. Every time there's a good play, we're like, 'Oh, look at the replay,' and you get the rookies to look at the scoreboard." - Ryan Dempster, 2 January 2009
by CaughtInTheVines on Apr 13, 2009 9:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s weird because even though there were three outs already, if they had tagged third for the “fourth out”, the run would not have counted because he never actually tagged up (nor would the fourth out that was just made a requirement). If he had tagged up, there would have been no discussion, and it would be exactly like your scenario.
by PacificCub on Apr 14, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs


















