Yoan Moncada Called Out via Replay Review After Brewers' Appeal, Umpire Rehak's Safe Call

July 24th's White Sox-Brewers game encountered a lengthy delay when Chicago baserunner Yoan Moncada was called out, on appeal, for missing home plate in Milwaukee. Article: https://www.closecallsports.com/2021/...

Chicago contended that Brewers Manager Craig Counsell's waited too long after the play to file a challenge on HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak's safe call and that crew chief Dan Iassogna thus entertained an untimely review.

However, Chicago and the umpires may have been speaking two different languages, or at least referring to two separate rules for two separate plays.

Chicago's allegation regarding a violation of the 20-second post-play time limit to review was based on the initial play at home plate, whereas the umpires allowance of Counsell's challenge was based on starting the 20-second clock only after Rehak ruled on Milwaukee's appeal attempt.

MLB's Replay Review Regulations state that video reviews on whether a runner touched a base or not *require a defensive appeal prior to the Replay Review*—thus, it would be inappropriate to use the initial play as the point at which the 20-second clock starts for the appeal decision, as the appeal had not yet been made until well after the play ended, but before a pitch had been thrown to a subsequent batter and before Milwaukee made a play or attempted play.

Because appeal plays are not Replay Reviews, they are not subject to MLB's 20-second rule and, instead, are allowed at any time after the play-to-be-appealed has concluded, but before the next pitch has been thrown or another play has been made or attempted.

A team IS allowed to appeal, even if a mound visit or similar delay occurs between the end of the prior play and the appeal's execution.

Finally, we recall that appeals at the professional baseball level must occur during live ball activity. Dead ball appeals might be allowed at lower levels (e.g., high school), but are not allowed in OBR. That said, the result of the play had the umpires instructed Milwaukee to re-do the appeal during live ball action would have been exactly the same: the Replay Official would have declared Moncada out for failing to touch home base.