Tagging on a bobbled pop fly

[jpattersondc]

I play on a rec league co-ed team. Runner on third, fly ball to left field, left fielder "catches" ball in his glove, runner on third tags and advances home, however left fielder bobbles the ball while transferring the ball to throw it but does not drop it. Umpire calls runner on third out for not tagging up. What is the ruling on this? Is the runner at the disadvantage for having to wait for a clean catch, or can the runner tag when contact is made?

Jason Patterson, Folsom, Ca

[CecilOne]

when contact is made

[Skahtboi]

Cecilone is correct. As soon as contact is made, the runner is free to advance.

And welcome to the forum, Jason.

[JEL]

Originally Posted by jpattersondc

Umpire calls runner on third out for not tagging up.

Jason Patterson, Folsom, Ca

Yep, like the others, "when first touched by a fielder" and also welome aboard, but.....

I hope the above statement could read, "Umpire calls runner on third out for not tagging up, after proper appeal.

[John Robertson]

All the above replies are correct. If you want to know the history of why this rule exists, it goes back to a 19th century ballplayer named Tommy McCarthy. When he started playing, the rule stated that a runner could legally tag up and advance only after the ball was caught--not touched. McCarthy made an "art" of juggling fly balls hit to him in the outfield. He'd bobble them while running toward the infield. By the time he'd actually caught the fly, he'd be standing within a few feet of the baserunner, thus effectively preventing him from advancing. That's why the rule was changed. Ain't sports history interesting?