Expert: Andrew Senger - 5/18/2009

Question
In asa softball does the runner have to be in contact with the base occupied when a fielder catches a fly ball and then in turn carries ball out of play. The other night a batter hit a ball to right field which was caught and carried into the out of play area. Runner wasn't allowed to advance because he was not standing on the base when the fielder went out of play.

Answer
Richard,

I am not trained in ASA rules, but I did find a copy of their rulebook online.

According to Rule 8, Section 3, Item H: "Bases left too soon on a caught fly ball must be retouched prior to advancing to awarded bases."

In other words, the runner would still be entitled to their awarded bases, they just have to touch their original base before advancing.