fly ball

Question
Baserunner on second base, flyball hit deep to right field.  Ball hit rightfielders glove then bounces out (or slips out). Base runner on second tags up on first contact of ball hitting glove. Does she have to return and retagged after rightfielder gains control of the ball.

Answer
Hi PEAK,

A runner can legally leave the base as soon as a batted fly ball that is going to be caught touches a defensive player.

In the past I've used the example of R1 at 1st and a high, sharp line drive that deflects off F6's leaping glove, carries into Lf where F7 catches it for an out.  R1 can legally leave the base as soon as F6 touched the ball.  In ASA the rule is 8-4-d.

mark