[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by umpyre007
FED rules; no outs; no runners on. Batter swings and misses strike three. Batter turns towards the third base dugout instead of attempting to reach first base. Catcher immediately tags the runner in the back with the catcher's mitt while holding the ball in his right hand. The batter has no idea that he has not been legally tagged out and continues to his dugout.

Do you (1) immediately rule and verbalize "no tag" when the improper tag occurs and wait to see what happens; or (2) say nothing and allow the batter to give himself up by entering the dugout?

FED case book play 7-4-1 Situation A: With r1 on first and 2 outs B2 has 2 strikes and swings at the next pitch. F2 drops the ball and fails to throw to F3 at first.

Ruling: B2 is safe at first if he reaches first before the half-inning ends or before all infielders leave the diamond. He is out if he gives up by entering the bench or dugout area.


Using FED rules, according to the above case-book play, a runner does not give up until they are entering the bench or dugout area. In your case the batter turned toward the dugout steps which is not the same as actually entering the dugout steps so at this point B1 has not given up his right to run towards first.

Given that, when F2 did not execute the proper tag, I would say nothing. I would wait until the batter actually enetered the dugout or bench area before declaring the out.

It's the players responsibility to know that he / she can run to first if first base is unoccupied with less than 2 outs or if there are 2 outs.

If we say no tag, we have just tipped off the runner that hey I should run. I think the proper call on this play is a no call until B1 enteres the dugout or F2 completes the proper tag or throws to F3 before B1 reaches safely.

Pete Booth