I recall that there used to be a rule that when tagging up, a runner need only wait until the first fielder touches the ball, rather than until the ball is actually caught. This rule was designed to prevent an outfielder from juggling a ball as he runs in with it, thereby holding the runners to their bases.

In yesterday's Diamondbacks/Royals game, the third baseman had the ball knocked out of his glove (in foul territory) by the shortstop, and the left fielder tried to barehand it and failed. The announcer said something about the runner on third was tagging up when the ball was nearly caught by the third baseman and would have had to come back to the base first if the outfielder had managed to snag the ball.

I went to MLB's web site to try to find the rule to show that he was wrong, and was not able to do so. Is MLB's site incomplete? I can't believe that this rule would be removed for the reason outlined in the first paragraph.

Thanks!

The rule is you can tag up on contact with the glove. Probably always has been the rule. This might be a case of an announcer who does not know the rules. In basketball, they don't allow any announcers who actually know the rules.

its still a rule
 

Yes, its a rule.
Should be the same at all levels etc.,

I don't have my OBR rules but FED rule is 8-2-4.

It should be under OBR rules that cover the runner.

Thanks
David

"In basketball, they don't allow any announcers who actually know the rules."

Most sports now days shouln't allow announcers at all. Most of them actully think you tune in to hear them announce, more than watch the game.

That is so true. It's embarrassing hearing some of the announcers talk about the game incorrectly. The only good announcers are ones that have actually played the game at a professional level, not in Little League when they were kids.

OBR 2.00 Definition of Terms - "Catch"
 

" A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball."

Does not need to be contact with the glove. Ball may contact any part of the fielder, could even bounce off the top of fielders head before it is caught. Runner may leave when it is first TOUCHED, not caught.

Then you never heard the late Chick Hearn. He was the only announcer, in any sport, who knew the rules of the game. In fact, he was a referee at one time.

Bob