Dropped fly ball

[TexBlue]

Originally posted by deernut_00
Glove of the fielder did not touch the ground. It came from above the head to shoulder height in one step when the player was regaining her balance, when the ball fell to the ground (appeared she was reaching for it but didn't touch it with her throwing hand). She recovered the ball from the ground and threw it toward first base.

The runner stayed on first until the ball hit the ground, and then was told by the coach to run to second.

This sounds like a classic case of HTBT (Had To Be There) on the catch. It may or may not be a catch, depending on what the PU saw, or thought he saw.

As far as the runner goes, once the fly ball is touched by a defender, they can release from the base and advance at their own risk. It does not have to be caught for the runner to be allowed to legally leave the base.