It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball. An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out. A runner is out if he runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball. Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called.
The whole point of tagging up is to avoid being doubled up (when the fielder throws the ball to the base you started on because you left before the ball was caught). If there are two outs, the fielder ends the inning with a catch – so there is no need to tag up.
If the baserunner appeared to tag up, but a fielder suspects the baserunner may have left the base too early (thus failing to legally tag up), the fielder may attempt to double the runner off by touching the runner’s starting base while controlling the ball, before the next pitch is thrown.
If the runner advances without tagging up once a fly ball is hit, and the baseball is caught, the runner must go all the way back to his previous base before the fielder at that base gets the baseball.
This play will always be a difficult one because it is very hard to judge the carry of the ball off the bat. As a general rule if you are on first base and that long fly ball has a chance to hit the wall, you cannot afford to be tagging up at first.
A fly ball hit in foul territory is in play and can be caught for an out; baserunners can advance as on any other fly ball out. If it drops to the ground, it is simply a foul ball, and runners cannot advance. A ground ball hit in foul territory is simply a foul ball, and cannot be played.
Base runners may attempt to advance at any time while the ball is alive, even before or while the pitcher is throwing a pitch. The catcher—or pitcher, in lieu of delivering the pitch—often tries to prevent this by throwing the ball to one of the infielders in order to tag the runner.
A force out is a play when the defense records an out without actually having to “tag” a runner, catch a fly ball in the air, or strike out a batter. The most common force play occurs when a batter hits a ground ball to an infielder who throws the ball to the first baseman before the hitter reaches the base.
If the base coach base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists the runner in returning to, or leaving the base, the runner is out and the ball is dead.
Therefore, the runner that was already on 1st base is legally entitled to 1st base until the batter reaches the base safely. When this happens, the runner is now not legally entitled to 1st base and can then be tagged out if still standing on the base.
NFHS rule 3-3-1a prohibits non-participating players from leaving the dugout while the ball is live, but in this case the ball was obviously dead. NCAA rule 5-2d prohibits an offensive team member, other than the base coaches, from touching the batter-runner before home plate has been touched.
NFHS (High School) Rule: The Federation rule just might be the easiest: “It is illegal to dive over a fielder” (8-4-2d); when a dive occurs without contact between the players, keep the ball alive, and call the runner out (unless interference is called, in which case the ball is dead).
Per the current edition of the Little League ® Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Policies – Rule 7.03 – Runner: Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching the same base, the following runner shall be out when tagged. The preceding runner is entitled to the base.
In the sports of baseball, softball, and kickball, tagging up is a rule that forces baserunners to remain at their base until a fielder catches a fly ball. Once a fielder catches a fly ball, the runner must “tag up” by retouching the base they were at when the pitcher delivered the pitch.
8-2-1 An advancing runner shall touch first, second, third and then home plate in order, including awarded bases. 8-2-2 A returning runner shall retouch the bases in reverse order. If the ball is dead because of an uncaught foul, it is not necessary for a returning runner to retouch intervening bases.
An inadvertent touch of the base which Gurriel did, is not a proper appeal and the umpire has no authority to call the runner out unless the play is appealed.
A fly ball is when a batter hits the ball high in the air, typically into the outfield. The fielders will run to the ball, attempting to catch it before it hits the ground. If the catch is made, the batter is ruled out.
A sacrifice fly occurs when a batter hits a fly-ball out to the outfield or foul territory that allows a runner to score. The batter is given credit for an RBI.
A foul tip is always a strike; and, unlike a foul ball, a foul tip can result in strike three. A foul tip is a live ball. Runners can advance (steal) at their peril.
You cannot steal a base on a “dead” or foul ball. Overthrown or passed balls may be stolen on, as long as the ball is still considered to be “live” The base ahead of you must be unoccupied (unless the runner ahead of you also attempts to steal the base in front of them; this is known as a double steal)
Definition. A foul tip is a batted ball that goes sharply and directly to the catcher’s hand or glove and is legally caught. A foul tip is considered equivalent to a ball in which the batter swings and misses, in that the baserunners are able to advance at their own risk (without needing to tag up).
Although it’s not stated in many of the rule books, the reason for overrunning first base is based on the fact that the momentum of the runner doesn’t allow for him to stop on first base.
Runners are allowed to advance at their own jeopardy the same as any other fly ball. If caught, the runners must re-touch the base or risk being called out on appeal. If uncaught, the runners may run or choose to stay on their base, but if they run they have to be tagged out as they are no longer forced to run.