Tagging up after a time out is called

[LeenieK]

The coaches of our 13-15 yr old baseball team have had this question all year. Umps can't tell us the answer...Runners on base...our coach calls time-out to talk to the pitcher. Their runners do not tag up after the time-out. Rule book says they must re-tag before the ball is pitched but doesn't tell us how to get the runner out. Our question is...What is the proper way to get the runner out? Does blue just call him out after we call attention to the fact he didn't tag? Do we throw the ball to the base he was on and tag it? Tag the runner??? What??? Does anyone know officially? Thanks all!

[LeenieK]

By the way...I keep book and stats for the team. Thanks again!

[akalsey]

The ump shouldn't put the ball back in play until all runners have retouched. But that doesn't always happen. In any event, the runner isn't out.

[Rich Ives]

Originally posted by LeenieK
The coaches of our 13-15 yr old baseball team have had this question all year. Umps can't tell us the answer...Runners on base...our coach calls time-out to talk to the pitcher. Their runners do not tag up after the time-out. Rule book says they must re-tag before the ball is pitched but doesn't tell us how to get the runner out. Our question is...What is the proper way to get the runner out? Does blue just call him out after we call attention to the fact he didn't tag? Do we throw the ball to the base he was on and tag it? Tag the runner??? What??? Does anyone know officially? Thanks all!

There is no rule requiring the batter to tag up after a time out.

The closest thing is:

5.09 The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when_
e) A foul ball is not caught; runners return. The umpire shall not put the ball in play until all runners have retouched their bases;

Note that there is no penalty.

Note that it is an instruction to the umpire, not a rule.

[DG]

I never pay any attention to whether runners have tagged after a timeout, or foul ball for that matter, and can't imagine calling something on this.

[Jeremiah]

The runners being in the vicinity of their base would be sufficent as "re-touching." Just make sure that they're around their bases when you put the ball in play.

-Jeremiah

[akalsey]

5.09e is what I was thinking of when I said the umpire shouldn't put the ball back in play.

If you want to get an out off this, pick the runner off while he's off base.