Expert: Andrew Senger - 2/4/2009

Question
runner on 1st,batter receives ball four. catcher catches ball four. runner on 1st hassles to 2nd but over runs base a few steps but makes no attempt to 3rd. catcher then throws to 2nd baseman who then tags runner. Is clean ball 4 dead with no play or is advanced runner out due to tag?

Answer
Jorge, I will assume that the ruleset used was Official Baseball Rules (OBR). If another ruleset was being used, please let me know and I will research it for you as well.

In your situation, the ball is still alive after the catcher catches ball four. The batter has a free advance to first and any player forced by his advance is allowed a free advance to the next bag.

Once the batter or runner has touched the bag awarded, any other advancement is at their peril. In the 2008 edition of OBR, under Rule 6.08(a) Comment:

"If, in advancing, the base runner thinks there is a play and slides past the base before or after touching it, he may be put out by the fielder tagging him."