tagging up When Can a Runner Leave the Base when Tagging Up?

[NotSoRealMcCoy]

Although I came across this situation in a city league softball game, I assume the rule would be the same across all leagues. 

Less than two outs, runner on third (or really any base), batter hits fly ball to an outfielder and the runner is tagging up.  The fly ball hits the outfielder's glove and immediately pops up in the air a few feet, however the fielder then catches the ball on the way down before the ball hits the ground (so the batter is out).  At which point can the runner tagging up legally leave the base; at the point the fielder first touched the ball or at the completion of the catch?

A similar situation would be if after hitting the outfielder's glove, a second fielder actually ends catching the ball before it hits the ground (again, the batter is out).  Does the runner have to wait until the ball is caught by the second fielder before leaving the base or can the runner leave when the ball initially touched the first fielder?

And one last scenario: the batter lines a pitched ball that ricochets off the pitcher, causing the ball, never having touched the ground, to pop way up in the air, still in the infield.  If a potential infield fly rule situation was in effect for this batter, could the IFR be applied here?

I've asked several amateur umpires these questions and have received a medley of responses. 

Thanks.

[grayhawk]

He can leave the base the instant it is first touched by the defense. Otherwise, the fielder could just juggle the ball all the way to the infield to prevent the runner from advancing. 
 

The infield fly rule is never in effect on a line drive. 

[Velho]

2 minutes ago, grayhawk said:

He can leave the base the instant it is first touched by the defense. Otherwise, the fielder could just juggle the ball all the way to the infield to prevent the runner from advancing. 
 

The infield fly rule is never in effect on a line drive. 

What he said (to balance out the count in favor of the correct answer in your medley of responses).  

[love to ump]

Who does not like a good medley to hum along with!

[Coach Carl]

You have to piece together two comments from the MLB rules, which I assume are valid for all codes of baseball and softball.

5.09

(c) Appeal Plays

Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when:

(1) After a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged; Rule 5.09(c)(1) Comment: “Retouch,” in this rule, means to tag up and start from a contact with the base after the ball is caught. A runner is not permitted to take a flying start from a position in back of his base. Such runner shall be called out on appeal.

and

5.09(a)

A batter is out when:

(1)  His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder;

Catch Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is “held up” and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed. 

[maven]

On 5/25/2024 at 2:28 PM, grayhawk said:

He can leave the base the instant it is first touched by the defense. Otherwise, the fielder could just juggle the ball all the way to the infield to prevent the runner from advancing. 

I know that you know this, but not everyone will: this actually used to happen, back when the rule required runners to retouch after a fly ball was caught.

A rule change long before anyone here was born instituted the current requirement, that runners retouch on a caught fly ball after a fielder touches the ball.