So you think you know SOM...

Let's say again that Delivery Boy's Lazy Daisy Ranchers have runners on first and third with 1 out against Frank Bailey's Nuku Hiva Tikis. Nellie Fox is up at the plate and Jackie Robinson is on third for the Ranchers while SP Nolan Ryan for the Tikis has 2 strikes on the batter. Ryan throws from the stretch and Jackie Robinson takes off from third. Catcher Ray Schalk sees this and steps in front of the plate to block Jackie's arrival. Nellie Fox, trying to bunt on the squeeze play, pops the ball up monentarily and catcher Ray Schalk retrieves it on the fly and tags out Robinson who has already passed and touched homeplate for the third out....or is it? If you were Hal, how would you call it?

A) Advise Delivery Boy that this is one of life's unfortunate occurances and to accept failure more graciously.
B) Ask Frank Bailey if he's going to spread this play at the golf course clubhouse later on for some laffs.
C) Throw out a new ball since the old one was scuffed.
D) Buy more teams for $79.95.

Two possible outcomes.
1. If the umpire judges that Schalk was actually in front of the plate without the ball (which is considered interference) Robinson is awarded home because he was trying to advance on the pitch (and the pitcher is charged with a balk) and Fox is awarded first on the interference by the catcher.

2. If there is no interference called, Fox is out on the pop up and Robinson is out on appeal. On an appeal play, it is irrelevant that he has crossed the plate. As long as he is still on the field he can be tagged. If he had left the field, the appeal would be made by touching third, the base he left without tagging up.

It was the umpire's judgement that Schalk was in front of homeplate when the pitch was made causing a balk which was charged to the pitcher and the run scores. Delivery Boy came out on top on this one. The Ranchers ended up losing the game anyways on a 7-run 9th inning rally by the Tikis.