appeal play: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Sport-specific jargon)Technical / Sport-specific
Quick answer
What does “appeal play” mean?
In baseball, a play in which a fielder makes a claim to an umpire that an opposing baserunner or batter has violated the rules, requiring the umpire to make a ruling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball, a play in which a fielder makes a claim to an umpire that an opposing baserunner or batter has violated the rules, requiring the umpire to make a ruling.
A formal protest or request for a ruling in any structured game or contest, often made after the initial action is complete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually non-existent in British English outside of baseball coverage. In American English, it is a standard term within the sport of baseball.
Connotations
No connotations beyond the technical sporting context.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage; moderately common in American sports media and baseball discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “appeal play” in a Sentence
[Team/Player] made an appeal play at [base]The appeal play was [successful/unsuccessful]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appeal play” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fielding side can appeal the runner's failure to tag up.
American English
- The catcher appealed to the umpire that the batter missed the base.
adjective
British English
- The appeal play situation was confusing for the spectators.
American English
- They won the game on an appeal play ruling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in sports science or rules analysis of baseball.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation outside of baseball fans.
Technical
Specific term in baseball rulebooks and officiating.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appeal play”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appeal play”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appeal play”
- Using it to mean an exciting or attractive play in a game.
- Confusing it with a coach's challenge in other sports, which is a formal, often video-based process.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it must occur before the next pitch or attempted play. It is a post-action claim.
No. An appeal play is a live, on-field verbal appeal by a fielder to an umpire about a specific rules violation (like missing a base). Video reviews are separate, formal processes initiated by a manager.
No. In this compound noun, 'appeal' retains its meaning of 'a serious or urgent request', like in a court of law.
Very rarely. It is almost exclusively a baseball and softball term, though it can be understood metaphorically in other contexts involving formal protests.
In baseball, a play in which a fielder makes a claim to an umpire that an opposing baserunner or batter has violated the rules, requiring the umpire to make a ruling.
Appeal play is usually technical / sport-specific in register.
Appeal play: in British English it is pronounced /əˈpiːl pleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈpil pleɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The manager is playing for an appeal (metaphorical use)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a player APPEALing to the judge (umpire) about a rule break during a PLAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LEGAL APPEAL is a request for a higher judge to review a decision; an APPEAL PLAY is a request for the umpire to review a potential rules violation.
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'appeal play' in baseball?