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I agree with you Al and disagree with you Mike (ASA umps never change their minds, and I should know, I was one for 20 years)...
I poised this play to my softball rules mentor, Jay Miner, who is Author and Columnist for Referee Magazine and the NASO Baseball and Softball Interpreter, and he replied with, and I quote:
""ASA and NFHS both say the tag must be securely held by the fielder and the ball is not considered as having been securely held if it is juggled or dropped by the fielder after tagging the runner, unless the runner deliberately knocks the ball from the hand(s) or glove of the fielder, a la, Alex Rodriguez knocking the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove. The NCAA tag definition does not mention the fielder dropping the ball after the tag.
The play in question obviously can be pontificated into the night with sound arguments made on both sides of the issue and I've heard convincing arguments for calling the runner either out or safe.
I've carefully read your play and have clearly pictured it in my mind. In my game, in the absence of the runner deliberately knocking the ball loose, I'm calling the runner safe, and believe me, I like outs. I'd rule, even if
I had to fudge a little, that F2 did not have control of the ball. I would have a difficult time explaining to a coach why the runner was out when the ball ended up on the ground when the runner did nothing illegal on the play.
In a bang-bang play at the plate, I would definitely have a hard time deciphering: "Yes, there is a tag out but then the ball is knocked away after the out, so the runner is out." Now, no official should fear making tough calls, but I believe in making realistic, believable and acceptable
calls. In my opinion you'd have a tremendous argument and never, ever be forgotten for calling the runner out in your play as opposed to calling the runner safe. I believe the ball in your play was dislodged on the continuing action of the tag and I'd call the runner safe. If the tag was made and the fielder and the runner still had body contact after
straightening up their bodies and the ball fell to the ground, I'd assertively reaffirm my out call as in my opinion, the continuing action of the tag was completed. Now, I know we're discussing softball but after viewing thousands and thousands of plays in major league baseball, on one of my 37 cable televisions (yes, that's right-37) over many, many years, I can never recall an out call on the type of play listed in the forum.""
... 'Nuff said, and this will be my last entry.
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