As Always:
""Voluntary release" is involved when tagging a base, not a runner. Such as on the pivot at 2B on a DP attempt. Or on a throw to 1B."
I disagree of course:
"Voluntary release"is ONLY considered on a BATTED BALL that is "in flight" . . . we kill this over-and-over everytime it comes up.
We even had documentation one time from Steve Mattingly who siad:
"I know the rule is clear but in a professional game it would be real hard to sell an out with the ball lying on the ground."
This answer was covering this play:
Ground ball to F3 who cleanly fields the ball and tosses to F1 covering first base.
F1 catches the ball three steps from the first base bag . . . clearly is in secure control and beats the B/R to first base by a step . . . B/R and F1 then collide and the ball winds up on the ground.
By rule, the B/R is out . . . in a professional game an ejection would follow if called that way.
Regards,
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