Tony:
Whether the ball is in the glove or the hand the fielder must show secure possesion through the tag. Any subsequent bobble or drop as a result of the tag dictates a safe call. You need to slow down and see the play all the way through. The J/R covers this pretty well.
"Catch" and "Tag" are similar concepts. A tag occurs when the ball is live and a fielder has the ball in his hand or glove (or both) and:
a) a base is touched by his person or
b) a runner is touched by any part of the glove/ball or hand/ball combination.
Such fielder must show complete control of the ball during and after the touch, and show this control by voluntarily releasing the ball. If, during or after the touch and before voluntary release has been shown, the ball is bobbled or dropped, it is not a tag.
Tim.
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