Tagging up.

Question
First all thanks for your help.

Second, I was reading a past question about runners tagging up on a fly ball.  If I remember correctly you said that a runner may tag up once a defensive player touches the ball, even if it takes the player several seconds to catch it, i.e. the defensive player bobbles the ball and then finally gains control.  The runner could have already advanced to the next base.  I believe you also gave the example of line drive hits off the an infielder's glove and it goes to the outfield and it caught.  The runner left when it hit the infielders glove.

Ok, I hope I did not over explain it.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Scott,

You are correct in what I said, a runner can leave the base legally as soon as a fly ball or line drive that is going to be caught touches a defensive player.

I gave the very extreme example of a high line drive that deflects off f-6 glove, carries into the outfield and is caught by f8 for an out on the batter.  Any runner on base can legally start to advance as soon as f6 touched the ball.

that's the rule

mark

Hi scott, you read this too quickly, I wanted to add the rule 8-4-d

Mark