Force Play

[BretMan]

She can tag the base with the hand not controlling the ball in the same manner that fielders routinely tag the base with a foot that's not controlling the ball!

See the definition of "tag" under ASA Rule 1.

[MOofficial]

That is what I figured. It would be the same difference as a player tagging the base with her foot. Thank You

[ukumpire]

Originally Posted by MOofficial

That is what I figured. It would be the same difference as a player tagging the base with her foot. Thank You

Just don't make the mistake that we had with a Rookie Umpire this season when a tag on a player was made with the 'Empty' Glove' and the Ball was in Control with the Bare Hand.

He called the runner out on the Tag.
I got called over and told the umpire that this was the incorrect call.

At post match he asked why if the D can tag the base with an empty hand and the ball in the other hand, you cannot do the same with a 'Tag Runner'

Hmm, "It's the Rule" but in a funny way it kinda makes sense what he was asking.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by ukumpire

...At post match he asked why if the D can tag the base with an empty hand and the ball in the other hand, you cannot do the same with a 'Tag Runner'....

I say if these two instances of "a tag" are to be made consistent, we should require the bag to be tagged with the ball. Combine that with metal cleats, and we'd then have some fun!

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by ukumpire

Just don't make the mistake that we had with a Rookie Umpire this season when a tag on a player was made with the 'Empty' Glove' and the Ball was in Control with the Bare Hand.

He called the runner out on the Tag.
I got called over and told the umpire that this was the incorrect call.

At post match he asked why if the D can tag the base with an empty hand and the ball in the other hand, you cannot do the same with a 'Tag Runner'

Hmm, "It's the Rule" but in a funny way it kinda makes sense what he was asking.

I would think the rules are clear and distinctively different in requirements. Tagging a runner clearly says tag the runner with the ball; we do consider tagging the runner with the glove holding the ball to meet that requirement.

However, the rules of tagging a base are equally clear, that the fielder needs only to make contact with the base while having possession of the ball. At no point does this require the contact to be with the ball or glove; just any part of the body contact the base. We have had (semi) interesting posts asking if a ponytail or shoelace would suffice as a point of contact; and, in fact, they would.

Since the requirements are clearly different, why would asking why they aren't the same make sense?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

We have had (semi) interesting posts asking if a ponytail or shoelace would suffice as a point of contact; and, in fact, they would.

I was wondering how long it would take for the ol' ponytail and shoelace scenarios to arise.

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I was wondering how long it would take for the ol' ponytail and shoelace scenarios to arise.

I can just see it now. Runner misses the plate, catcher catches the ball at about the same time and falls down next to the plate, her ponytail landing on the plate for an "accidental" appeal!