Runner tagging up?

Sideline Ump · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 21, 2009, 01:25am

Situation is runner on 3rd, and fly ball hit to deep center field in which fielder may or may not have caught the ball over his shoulder. Fielder falls down, ball not in sight (unknown if it was caught or not) so runner retouches, tags up and scores. Defense appeals play, runner is called out because 'the home plate umpire had not made a call on the batter'. Umpire waited to see if the fielder came up with the ball in his glove. My contention is it did not matter if the ball was caught or not, the runner may tag up as soon as the ball is touched. Am I correct?

Matt · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 21, 2009, 01:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sideline Ump

Situation is runner on 3rd, and fly ball hit to deep center field in which fielder may or may not have caught the ball over his shoulder. Fielder falls down, ball not in sight (unknown if it was caught or not) so runner retouches, tags up and scores. Defense appeals play, runner is called out because 'the home plate umpire had not made a call on the batter'. Umpire waited to see if the fielder came up with the ball in his glove. My contention is it did not matter if the ball was caught or not, the runner may tag up as soon as the ball is touched. Am I correct?

Yes.

ozzy6900 · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 21, 2009, 07:51am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sideline Ump

Situation is runner on 3rd, and fly ball hit to deep center field in which fielder may or may not have caught the ball over his shoulder. Fielder falls down, ball not in sight (unknown if it was caught or not) so runner retouches, tags up and scores. Defense appeals play, runner is called out because 'the home plate umpire had not made a call on the batter'. Umpire waited to see if the fielder came up with the ball in his glove. My contention is it did not matter if the ball was caught or not, the runner may tag up as soon as the ball is touched. Am I correct?

The umpire that made that call needs to go back to school and learn when a runner may tag up. Your assumption is correct.

JR12 · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 21, 2009, 08:25am

Otherwise a outfielder could juggle the ball as he runs toward the infield.

SanDiegoSteve · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 21, 2009, 09:03am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR12

Otherwise a outfielder could juggle the ball as he runs toward the infield.

Which is what they used to do, hence the rule was changed to allow runners to leave the base as soon as the ball is first touched.

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