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Correct Call
I heard about this one from a friend of mine. He was on the defensive team that things they got screwed on the call.
ASA rules, adult SP
1 out, bottom of the 7th, tie ball game. Fly ball deep center field. LC fielder makes a running attempt at the catch, and as he makes contact with the glove on the ball he hits the wall. The runners on 2nd base takes off when contact is made between the ball and glove. The RC fielder runs over, makes a diving catch of the deflected ball which did not hit anything but the LCF's glove. The runner from second scores easily. The defense appeals the runner left early. Appeal denied. Two players ejected for arguing the call. This was the second call they feel the umpire blew on tag ups that game. The other was a line drive back at the pitcher which hit his glove and pops straight up in the air. Runner from third takes off as soon as the ball hits the glove of the pitcher. Runner from 3rd beats the throw home, the defense then appeals, again appeal denied.
I explained in both cases the runner is required to be on the base, or return to touch the base after the ball is contacted by a defensive player, not when it is caught. Since in both plays the ball was contacted by the defensive player, the runner was released from the base.
Was I, and the umpire correct?
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