You are here:

Baseball Instruction/Legal catch by first baseman - "pulled off the bag"

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/15/2009


Question
Martin,

Question is: is the batter/runner considered out at first base when the throw to first "pulls" the baseman off the bag?  Let's say it was a cleanly caught ball just before the runner steps on the base.  The baseman's foot was on the side of the bag for the catch, but the momentum of the ball literally pulls the baseman, foot and all, off the bag.  While the baseman is off the bag, the batter/runner runs through it.  The baseman does not ever drop the ball.  Neither is the baseman attempting to tag the base quickly with the intention of making an additional play.  The kid was basically too small, and the throw was too hard, pulling him off the base, even though he did catch it.

Was it a fair and legal catch?  Is the runner safe or out?

Thank you!

Stewart

Answer
Stewart,

They only reason I would call the runner safe is if the first baseman did not have secure possession of the ball.  If the momentum carried the fielder off the bag, there could be a possibility there was no secure possession.

As long as the fielder made a catch and had contact with the bag, then it is an out.

-Martin Hoover

Baseball Instruction

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Martin Hoover

Expertise

Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.

Experience

Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire

Organizations
Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.

Education/Credentials
Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics

Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.