Orioles Runner, Awarded 3rd, Called Out at 2nd on Appeal

Despite Orioles runner Maverick Handley being awarded third base on a ball out of play, Pittsburgh nonetheless retired him at second for an inning-ending Spring Training double play. How can an umpire call a runner out despite a base award? Article:

With one out and one on (R2 Handley), Orioles batter Robert Neustrom hits a fly ball into foul territory, near the first base dugout. Pirates catcher Jason Delay catches the ball before stepping into the dugout (the second step [step below dugout lip] is considered “into the dugout”). HP Umpire Derek Thomas declares Neustrom out on the catch and calls “Time” to award R2 Handley third base on the catch-and-carry into dead ball territory.

Related Post: Chris Segal's KC Catch & Carry Scores Game Winner (8/30/19).

This is a legal catch pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(1) Comment: "A fielder may reach into, but not step into, a dugout to make a catch, and if they hold the ball, the catch shall be allowed. A fielder, in order to make a catch on a foul ball nearing a dugout or other out-of-play area (such as the stands), must have one or both feet on or over the playing surface (including the lip of the dugout) and neither foot on the ground inside the dugout or in any other out-of-play area."

When the ball is put back into play, Pirates pitcher Kyle Nicolas throws to second baseman Nick Gonzalez, who steps on second base to appeal that R2 Handley failed to retouch second base after catcher Delay’s catch. 2B Umpire and Crew Chief Chad Fairchild affirms the appeal and calls Handley out to end the inning.

The Official Baseball Rules state that a runner must fulfill their base running responsibilities—including base touches [and retouches]—even when they are awarded bases and the ball has become dead…otherwise they may be appealed on and declared out for failing to touch a base.

For reference, OBR 5.06(b)(3) states, "Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when—A fielder, after catching a fly ball, steps or falls into any out-of-play area" while 5.06(b)(3)(C) Comment states, "If a fielder, after having made a legal catch, should step or fall into any out-of-play area, the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base, without liability to be put out, from their last legally touched base at the time the fielder entered such out-of-play area."

(Think, for instance, about a home run hit out of the playing field. This is technically a four-base award, but the batter and any runners must touch all bases in order before scoring, even though the ball has become dead and they have been awarded bases.)

Alt Link: Handley, awarded 3rd base on out of play ball, is called out at 2nd on appeal (PIT)