The Padres and Rockies played at Petco on Aug. 4, 2024. In the top of the third, Ezequiel Tovar was batting facing Matt Waldron with Aaron Schunk on first base. Tovar hit a pop fly that was caught in foul territory by first baseman Luis Arraez.

Schunk was running with the pitch. He was deked by second baseman Jake Cronenworth who was in a tagging position. Schunk slid into second base. When he realized there was no play at second, he returned to first but failed to retouch second base.

The Padres appealed from the mound. The throw went from Waldron to Cronenworth and Schunk was called out by umpire Larry Vanover.

Ruleball Comments

• To make a legal retouch of second base, Schunk would have had to touch the base with either foot, but he did not do so.
• Credit the Padres for being alert to the no retouch and Cronenworth for the deke but, if possible, they should have made a continuous action appeal. Arraez could have tagged Schunk on first base or he could have thrown to second base. Tagging Schunk on first base would have been the most practical way to appeal.
• By getting the ball to Waldron, if he balked or erred on the appeal by throwing the ball into dead ball territory, the Padres would lose their right to appeal the no retouch of second base. If he balked, Schunk would be awarded second base and if Waldron threw the ball into dead ball territory and he was off the rubber, Schunk would be awarded third base.  If there was another runner on base and Waldron made a play on that runner, the Padres could no longer appeal Schunk’s no retouch of second base.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.