Safe or Out?

[JamesC]

If a field has a ball in his hand, there is a force, and he touches the base with their glove, is this still an out? Just wanting to clear some things up. Also, if there is any way you could provide some sort of proof, perhaps from the rules book or a case book, I would appreciate it.

Oh yea...:bang:

[NovaScotiaBlue]

Hi James.

The runner is out. What you are describing is a TAG So if you want something from the rulebook go to section 2 of the OBR.

"A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his BODY while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove."

So there you have it. as long as the player has SECURE posession of the ball he can touch a base with any part of his body to get an out. Consider the front end of the basic double play. What does F6 or F4 touch 2nd with?? His foot. Where is the ball?? Securely held in his hand.

[NovaScotiaBlue]

Man, Ump 24 great minds (and Canadians) think alike I see..LOL

[widac]

Just remember that the "with his body" part only works for tags of a base

"A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his BODY while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove."

[JamesC]

That's the way I have always believed it to be, therefore agreeing with the two of you. However, I always think back to a softball tournament (slowpitch) of which I was playing in when I was about 13. I had the ball in my hand and dove for 2nd base and touched it with my glove. Granted, these umpires are just people out of the stand, but for some reason I still think about it. Anyways, he called the guy safe because I touched it with my glove, while the ball was in my hand. I was irate now, emphasizing that I don't have to put the ball on the top of my show to get an out at first base, therefore it shouldn't have to be in my glove for a force out. Oh well, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks guys!

[widac]

I was at a clinic once and we were talking about this and it was pointed out that if you were trying to tag a base and you had the ball firmly in your possesion and if you fell or were face down in the dirt and the brim of your hat touched the base, assuming that the hat was being worn correctly and securely, that that would be a legal tag. I've been waiting for that to happen ever since. :bang:

[Umpire in Chief]

Yes any part of a properly worn uniform is a tag. I remember a debate elsewhere about a debate whether an unties shoelace touching the bag.

[widac]

Yes any part of a properly worn uniform is a tag. I remember a debate elsewhere about a debate whether an unties shoelace touching the bag.

I say that untied shoelaces are not properly worn gear. :bang:

[semper_fi_72]

I say that untied shoelaces are not properly worn gear.

Only if their socks are falling down at the same time.:bang:

[NFUA_44]

And BOTH Stirups must be properly worn. Otherwise your ejection report won't reflect proper protocol.

:shrug:

[dawg-man]

I saw two umpires in a travel ball tournament argue with each other over this very same scenario. My son was coaching a team on another field and were not started yet. The TD finally had to come out and make the ruling on the play. It was sad to see from an umpires point of view. Luckily they got through it and all was well later.

[NFUA_44]

Hey now young man careful with that age thing but I'm sure you already know the dangers of people making assumptions about someone's seasoning, or lack thereof...........LMAO

And to be fair, I did actually see one HS age kid this year wearing honest to goodness stirrups. He said his father handed them down to him. Gotta love kids.

I saw two umpires in a travel ball tournament argue with each other over this very same scenario. My son was coaching a team on another field and were not started yet. The TD finally had to come out and make the ruling on the play.

Now that is truly scary. Anything more than 30 seconds (and that is a lifetime on a field) to conference and get a picture of what my partner had on the play is wasted air, IMO. (not so humble) And dragging a TD into the mix on this specific decision is asking for trouble.