With no outs, a 3-2 count on the batter, runners on second base (R2) and first base (R1), and both runners are stealing on the pitch. The plate umpire calls ball-4 on a very close pitch. However, the catcher throws down to third base and R2 is tagged before he slides into 3rd base. The field umpire calls R2 out (the field umpire believed the last pitch was a strike and NOT ball-4). As R2 leaves 3rd base (believing he was just tagged out on the steal), the base coach yells to R2 "that was a walk", but R2 is tagged while he is off the base.

 

The defensive team likes the result of the play (hey, the RUNNER needs to know when he is protected to the next base and when he is not).

 

The offensive team does not like the result of the play (hey, the UMPIRE needs to know when the runner is protected to the next base and when he is not).

 

Now what do the umpires do?