Appeal plays can be tricky; Just ask China, the victim of a stolen base during an unsuccesful appeal during Monday's China-Cuba game. With none out and none on, Cuba leadoff batter Erisbel Arruebarruena singled on a bunt ground ball to China pitcher Xin Li, advancing to second base on a throwing error.
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| R2 prepares to steal on appeal. |
Following the play, China believed Arruebarruena missed first base and prepared to execute an appeal. As pitcher Xin Li stepped off the rubber and threw to first base, baserunner Arruebarruena alertly stole third, aware that the ball was live and pursuant to Rule 7.10, an appeal must be made before any subsequent pitch, play or attempted play, and that if China attempted to retire R2 prior to completing the appeal at first base, any future appeal would be invalid.
Nonetheless, Arruebarruena was declared "safe" at first base and likewise safely arrived at third base, scoring on a subsequent Alexei Bell home run. In the end, such a play proved largely irrelevant; Cuba ultimately won the contest in a WBC mercy rule-shortened seven innings, 12-0.
Lesson learned: Be sure about your appeals—or at least be quick about it!
Wrap:
China vs. Cuba (World Baseball Classic), 3/4/13
Video:
R2 steals third base while F1 throws over to first base on appeal (MLB Network)
I have never understood why fielders don't take advantage of the fact that a standard appesl for missed bases or failure to tag up can be executed by tagging the runner himself (see rule 7.10). When there is only one runner involved, it's the much better way since he can't leave the base while the fielder is holding the ball next to him.
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