If a runner misses a base and the defense must wait to appeal until the ball is live, which statement is correct?

• A. The defense must appeal immediately after the miss.
• B. The defense must appeal after the ball becomes live.
• C. The defense cannot appeal at all.
• D. The defense may appeal at any time.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that base-escape appeals are only valid while the ball is live. When a runner misses a base, the defense can’t lodge an appeal during a dead-ball period; they must wait until the ball is live to signal the appeal. That’s why the correct statement is that the defense must appeal after the ball becomes live. Once the ball is live, the defense can touch the missed base with the ball and inform the umpire to record the appeal. The other options don’t fit because appealing immediately would be during a non-live moment, appealing at any time ignores the live-ball requirement, and saying the defense cannot appeal at all contradicts the rule that appeals are allowed when the ball is live.