Infield fly; runners liability to put out

[Russell1027]

ASA game
IFF, ball popped up between catcher and pitcher; F2 catches the ball in fair territory near foul line. Runner on first takes 4 or 5 steps off the base - awaits the catch - then retreats. F2 fires a rocket to F3 to catch the runner off first. Timing play or tag play?

Force is removed - but the ball was caught. Thoughts?

[SC Ump]

Originally posted by Russell1027
ASA game
IFF, ball popped up between catcher and pitcher; F2 catches the ball in fair territory near foul line. Runner on first takes 4 or 5 steps off the base - awaits the catch - then retreats. F2 fires a rocket to F3 to catch the runner off first. Timing play or tag play?

Force is removed - but the ball was caught. Thoughts?

Technically, this play is a live ball appeal, since the defense is making an appeal that the runner left the base prior to a caught fly ball first being touched. If a fielder with the ball touches the base, or properly tags the runner, before the runner returns to the base, then the runner is out. You are correct, it is not a force play.

See thread titled, "Where did these guys learn the rules?"

[Edited by SC Ump on Aug 2nd, 2003 at 12:27 PM]

[bluezebra]

It makes no difference where the ball was caught. It's a caught fly ball, which means that any runner(s) off base when the ball is caught are out if the throw beats them to the base. Tag runner, tag base, same-same.

Bob

[CecilOne]

What do you mean by the "Timing play or tag play?" question. They are not opposites.

Also, "Force is removed" does not affect a runner leaving early, except allowing him/her to return. Most pertinent part of responses:
"It makes no difference where the ball was caught. It's a caught fly ball"