Force Out Rulling
 

What must touch the base for a player to have considered to touch it?

Example: Player has ball in non gloved hand and lays out and touches base with gloved hand. Still an out?

What is the rule number I can look this up

I don't have my rulebook handy, but think of it this way - the out is enforced if the player is only touching the base with his foot, correct? Why would the gloved hand without the ball be any different? Or an elbow, knee, or head, for that matter.

Not trying to be smart, just don't overthink it!

MOump,

The fielder who has secure possession of the ball must tag the base with either the ball, or any part of his "person".

See Rule 2.0 (OBR), Tag & Person.

JM

Coach JM beat me to it.

My book (sporting news) does not say "tag and person"

It does have:
Section 2 OBR

A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove.

Same thing.

Think of it this way MOofficial:

• If F3 holding the ball in his glove, steps on 1st, is the runner (who has not yet reached 1st base) out?
• If F3 holding the ball in his glove, sits his arse on 1st, is the runner (who has not yet reached 1st base) out?
• If F3 holding the ball in his bare hand, steps on 1st, is the runner (who has not yet reached 1st base) out?
• If F3 holding the ball in his bare hand, places his empty glove on 1st, is the runner (who has not yet reached 1st base) out?

See how easy it is to remember and explain to a coach?

We had a play relevant to this question yesterday in a sectional game. R1, slow roller to F6, who fields the ball and throws it wild to F4 covering.

F4 comes off the base to catch the ball, and then with his free hand swings wildly around and somehow manages to touch the base. Partner checks for possession of the ball, then bangs the out. Good call!

O-coach comes to me (wrong) and asks if I can help my partner. I say no, it's his call. Coach doesn't like what he hears from partner, but it's a good call on an ugly play.