Re: Fly Ball

Question
While playing a game, a line drive was hit back toward the pitcher. Attempting to catch the ball, the pitcher deflected it in a high arc toward the second baseman who caught it before it hit the ground. Obviously, the batter is out by virtue the fly ball being caught.

However, not realizing the second baseman would catch it, the runner at first left the bag when the ball hit the pitcher's glove but before it got to the second baseman.

So the question is, once the ball hit the pitchers glove can the runner advance or does he have to remain on the base until the ball is caught? In other words, at what point in this scenario can the runner leave the base?

Thanks,

Phillip

Answer
Thanks for the question!  Fantastic question too!

The runner may leave at the first touch of the ball, and as I'll show you, it makes good sense.

This situation is usually referred to as the "DiMaggio Rule" referring to Joe DiMaggio.

The rule in baseball and softball used to be, the runner could not advance on a tag up until the catch was made.  So Jumpin' Joe used to get a fly ball into his glove and have it bounce in and out of his glove (up and down, like playing catch with himself in his glove) as he ran into the infield which means no one could leave because he technically never caught the ball.  Then when he got into the infield, he would finally "catch" the ball.  The rule was then changed in both games to "the first touch" so he couldn't do this anymore.  

Another example would be a high fly ball that gets juggled in the outfield, the runner may advance on a tag up once the ball is first touched.

I hope this helps answer your question, if not please reply.