I realize the term "appeal play" sounds legalistic and boring. But every time a runner is doubled up is an "appeal play".
7.10 Appeal
"Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when –
(a) after a fly ball is caught, the runner fails to retouch the base before said runner or the base is tagged"
The only way to get the runner out for not tagging up is to touch the base with the ball. If you do it before the runner gets back, they are out. You can't just call them out for leaving early, because you have to give them the chance get back to the bag.
You could say that they are out if they leave early and touch the next base. But there are times when the runner gets past the next base and is still able to get back safely on a fly out. And I wouldn't want to eliminate that from baseball.
So I think you have to write a special rule that says the run doesn't count if they left early and the third out is made on that play. I'm not sure which is more elegant. Leaving it as is and muddling with the "4th out" or adding yet another rule.
I realize the term "appeal play" sounds legalistic and boring. But every time a runner is doubled up is an "appeal play".
7.10 Appeal
"Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when –
(a) after a fly ball is caught, the runner fails to retouch the base before said runner or the base is tagged"
The only way to get the runner out for not tagging up is to touch the base with the ball. If you do it before the runner gets back, they are out. You can't just call them out for leaving early, because you have to give them the chance get back to the bag.
You could say that they are out if they leave early and touch the next base. But there are times when the runner gets past the next base and is still able to get back safely on a fly out. And I wouldn't want to eliminate that from baseball.
So I think you have to write a special rule that says the run doesn't count if they left early and the third out is made on that play. I'm not sure which is more elegant. Leaving it as is and muddling with the "4th out" or adding yet another rule.