Line drive catch a "play"?

[UmpAgain]

I searched the fora but did not find an answer to the specific question (there was a discussion on reddit on the topic)

Does the catch of a line drive or pop-up by an infielder constitute a "play" for the purposes of determining the "first play by an infielder" for overthrow awards?

Consider: R1 off with pitch hits popup to F5 in fair territory.  F5 makes the catch for out 1 and airmails the ball back to first base out of play, at time of throw, R1 is past second base.

• If the fly-ball catch is considered a play, the award is home, subject to appeal for leaving early
• if the fly-ball is not considered a play, the award is 3rd base, subject to appeal for leaving early

We know that a tag or attempted tag to of a baserunner is a "play", how about this one?  In some of the previous discussions looking at various sources, the posters had included batter-runner along with runner in the interpretation of a play.

Thank you in advance and my apologies if the answer was previously discussed

Steve

 

[BigBlue4u]

Maybe this will help:

A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.) A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play.

So, to answer your question, no, the catch of a line drive or a popup is not considered a play or attempted play.

 

[johnnyg08]

7 hours ago, BigBlue4u said:

Maybe this will help:

A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.) A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play.

So, to answer your question, no, the catch of a line drive or a popup is not considered a play or attempted play.

 

"Nice play Bill" is different from a play for base awards.

[The Man in Blue]

On 3/13/2026 at 12:59 PM, BigBlue4u said:

Maybe this will help:

A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.) A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play.

So, to answer your question, no, the catch of a line drive or a popup is not considered a play or attempted play.

 

Did the catch not retire the batter-runner?  Hard to get an out without a play.

[jimurrayalterego]

12 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Did the catch not retire the batter-runner?  Hard to get an out without a play.

A catch of a ball in flight is a putout but not a play.

18. PLAY OR ATTEMPTED PLAY Rules 5.06(b)(4)(G), 5.09(c): The following interpretation of “play or attempted play” applies to both awarding of bases (Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G)) and appeal plays (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)): A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.) A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play.

[dumbdumb]

3 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

A catch of a ball in flight is a putout but not a play.

18. PLAY OR ATTEMPTED PLAY Rules 5.06(b)(4)(G), 5.09(c): The following interpretation of “play or attempted play” applies to both awarding of bases (Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G)) and appeal plays (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)): A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.) A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play.

so, that would mean runner must go back in order by retouching 2nd base on the way to first. then touching first on the tag up and then go with oob overthrow procedure with the awarded bases, proceed to touch 2nd again on the way to third and stopping at third.

i have heard a lot of umpires hear the old wives tale of 1 plus 1, or you award the base the runner is running to, and then one base after that. since on similar plays like this, usually the runner is going back to avoid being doubled up at first base for leaving too soon(although he has already earned this base to start with) to tag up on the throw that goes oob, and then give the plus one and put them on second.

[jimurrayalterego]

2 hours ago, dumbdumb said:

so, that would mean runner must go back in order by retouching 2nd base on the way to first. then touching first on the tag up and then go with oob overthrow procedure with the awarded bases, proceed to touch 2nd again on the way to third and stopping at third.

i have heard a lot of umpires hear the old wives tale of 1 plus 1, or you award the base the runner is running to, and then one base after that. since on similar plays like this, usually the runner is going back to avoid being doubled up at first base for leaving too soon(although he has already earned this base to start with) to tag up on the throw that goes oob, and then give the plus one and put them on second.

Do you know the FED twist to that retouch?

[dumbdumb]

8 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

Do you know the FED twist to that retouch?

not at all. but what is the retouch twist at other levels, ncaa or pros.

[The Man in Blue]

On 3/15/2026 at 10:52 AM, jimurrayalterego said:

A catch of a ball in flight is a putout but not a play.

18. PLAY OR ATTEMPTED PLAY Rules 5.06(b)(4)(G), 5.09(c): The following interpretation of “play or attempted play” applies to both awarding of bases (Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G)) and appeal plays (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)): A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant.) A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play.

 

I would have went with: catching a fly ball puts out the batter, not a runner.  Or just gone directly to the rule itself where it says "for the purpose of this rule, fielding the ball is not a play."  🤔😋

Besides, we are overcomplicating this.  For NFHS, there is a direct answer in the rule book: