ASA rule on voluntary release
2016/7/15 17:09:34
Question
During a 12U fastpitch tournament last weekend (ASA), our team was in the field, and the hitting team had bases loaded. The hitter hit the ball to my third baseman, who threw the ball home. The ball was caught by the catcher for an apparent force out at home. Unfortunately, my catcher then decided to try and tag the runner, and in doing so, the ball was dislodged from the catcher's mitt. The home plate umpire called the runner safe, indicating that there was no "voluntary release". Can you please help me understand the rule, and if the ruling was correct or not?
Answer
Hi Marc,
I'm sorry your parent's didn't love you enough to spell your name right and so scar you for life, but......
A VR applies to catch, not a tag so that's another question.
If F2 never had control of the ball (bobbling it) we have a safe.
If F2 had control of the ball and lost it "during" the tag, it is is a safe.
If they had control, had a tag but then lost control of the ball after the tag it is an out. An example of this would be a slide, tag and the runner rolls up and physically contacts f2 who now loses the ball out of the glove. Since she had control of the ball during the tag it is an out.
Best
Mar"K"
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