What is an appeal play in baseball?
A · Advanced · Running the bases · 6 of 9Some mistakes by the batting side are not called unless the defence claims them. If a runner misses a base, or leaves early on a caught fly, the umpire stays silent. The defence must take the ball to the base or the runner and make it plain they are appealing, before the next pitch or play.
How it works
- What can be appealed: a missed base, leaving a base too soon on a caught fly, failing to return at once after overrunning first and batting out of turn.
- How: with the ball live, tag the runner or the base and indicate the appeal.
- If the ball is dead: the pitcher takes the ball on the rubber, the umpire calls "Play" and the pitcher may then step off and throw to the base.
- The deadline: "before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play".
- At the end of an inning: before the pitcher and infielders have left fair territory.
- One chance: if the defence makes an error on its first appeal attempt, it loses the right to appeal.
- Which runner: where more than one runner passed the base, the defence must say which.
- It must be clear: stepping on the base by accident with the ball is not an appeal.
- The umpire's part: to say nothing until asked.
- A fourth out: the defence may take an appeal out in place of the third out if it helps, for example to cancel a run.
The glossary has the appeal play, the base, the base runner, the out, the umpire and the run.
Tricky cases
A runner misses second base on the way to third. The defence throws to second and the fielder stands on it, saying nothing. Is the runner out?
Not unless the appeal is made clear, by words or by an act that unmistakably indicates it.
A batter hits a home run and misses first base. Can they go back?
Only before touching second. With the ball dead, a runner may not return to a missed base after touching the next one.
Two out, and a runner who scored missed third base. The defence appeals successfully. What happens to runs scored behind that runner?
They do not count. When the appealed out is the third out, no runner following scores.
The defence throws the ball away while trying to appeal at first. Can they try again?
No. If the defence errs on its first appeal attempt, it loses the right to appeal.
Why the rule exists
Baseball puts the duty of noticing on the players. In the rule book's words about batting out of turn, the rule "is designed to require constant vigilance by the players and managers of both teams". An umpire who pointed out every missed base would be helping one side.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Missed base or leaving early | Out only on appeal | WBSC Baseball Rule 11.1 |
| Batting out of turn | The proper batter is out on appeal | WBSC Baseball Rule 9.8 |
| Video review | A missed base must be appealed on the field before it can be reviewed | WBSC Baseball Appendix 2, B2.1 |
| Judgement calls | Cannot be protested | WBSC Baseball Rule 7.12 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Rules 6.1, 9.8 and 11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).