If an outfielder bobbles a ball before he catches it, can the runner tag up as soon as the fielder touches the ball, or only when he has possession and the umpire has called the batter out?
2006-07-07 08:22:14 · 14 answers · asked by word 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
As soon as the fielder catches (has possession of) the ball.
2006-07-07 09:57:42 · answer #1 · answered by frenchy62 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As an umpire myself, once a fielder touches the ball, the runners can safely tag up. This is to prevent a fielder from intentionally "juggling" the ball into the infield and letting it drop in order to record a double or even a triple play.
2006-07-07 11:28:39 · answer #2 · answered by vegasbrother99 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As soon as the ball is touched. If not fielders would just pop the ball in the air off the back of the glove to freeze the runner.
2006-07-07 08:37:11 · answer #3 · answered by chuckpars 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The runner can tag up as soon as the fielder touches the ball. The fielder does not have to have complete control of the ball. Once it touches the fielder's glove, hands, (head--Jose Canseco), the runner can tag up.
2006-07-07 09:48:30 · answer #4 · answered by You don't know me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There has to be an out. Because the fielder would bobble it on purpose to catch the runner leaving too soon.
2006-07-07 08:44:42 · answer #5 · answered by Alicia H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The runner can advance as soon as the outfielder touches the ball.
2006-07-07 08:26:24 · answer #6 · answered by Zac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The outfielder touches the ball then runner can leave then. If he leaves too soon he can be out
2006-07-08 06:16:45 · answer #7 · answered by chi_cubs_lover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as the batter is out and the ball is caught, you cannot run if the outfielder bobbled it, but once he has it u can take off!!!
2006-07-07 08:46:00 · answer #8 · answered by apocalypse 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it has to be an official catch with complete control of the ball...in most cases the runner on base is just screwed bc he is going when they first touch the ball...however, in softball...you can go as soon as the fielder touches the ball
2006-07-07 08:35:46 · answer #9 · answered by B-Dub 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as the ball is in possesion, a runner can tag up.
2006-07-07 09:18:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋