Home Plate Tag - Safe

[ukumpire]

Play - (all rather easy until...) Runner from 3rd comes into home whilst the catcher is receiving/in position with the ball all under control. Runner makes a perfectly good slide into home plate and gets tagged within an inch or 2 of the hp.
I take my usual second, or 2, before throwing an out, only to see that the slide of the runner into hp has removed the mitt with the ball inside from the catcher's hand.
With the whole movement still ongoing the runner slides across hp.
{when the mitt came off the catcher, she picks up the mitt with the ball still inside the web, which is lying right in front of her, and holds it in the air}

My Call - Safe, based on the 'lost control ruling'
The head coach calls time and discusses the play, insisting that when the tag was made, control was kept (I silently agree!) it was only when the catcher pulled her arm away after making the tag that the mitt came off the hand (I agree)
But then I let him know, that in my judgement and opionion, the movement of pulling the arm away is still part of the tag phrase and by losing the mitt control was not kept for the whole process of the tag!

If any of you are interested in the next part then all good & well:
Mike Candrea and Jessica Mendoza was watching the game and Mike is of the opinion that it should be ruled an Out!!

Look forward to your views on this rather unusual play!