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Here we go again...
The rule on tag-outs says the ball is NOT considered as having been HELD securely if juggled or dropped AFTER the TOUCHING ((unless the runner deliberately knocks the ball from the hand of the fielder)). What does that tell the readers of the rule about a non deliberately knocked loose ball? Does not the rule imply that an unintentional knocking loose of a ball brings no penalty to the runner and he would be called safe? I hope someone else that agrees with my understanding of the tag-out rule can better make the point I am trying to make.
Again, a tag is not merely the placing of a mitt on a runner but the placing of a mitt on the runner while having a firm control of the ball. In the case we are considering the umpire would have no idea if the ball was held securely, but would know for sure the fielder did not prove he had a firm hold of the ball as it was knocked loose by the runners knee.
In an open field tag an out is not credited if the ball is dropped before the fielder has shown he had control, so why would an umpire do anything differently in the case we are discussing?
Let's consider this play: An open field swipe tag is made to a runners chest and the runners arm unintentionally hits the glove as the fielder is pulling the glove away from the runner and the ball is dropped. Would the umpire just assume the tag was securely held, or would he/she say the tag was good and the girl is out??? The fact that she dropped the ball is what is used to show she had no control of the ball. It's the same thing we have in our play at the plate, is it not?
This is almost like the Abbott and Costello "WHO's on first" routine. I don't know...third base!
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