Baseball Instruction/Tag Up Foul Ball

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Expert: - 4/14/2011


Question
Bases loaded. One out.  Pop up in foul territory by third base bag in infield.  Caught by third baseman. Runner took off from his lead off and did not tag up.   Is he out if third baseman then steps on third?  I know you can tag up on foul balls hit to outfield, but what about foul balls in infield.  You cant tag up so why is he out?

Answer
Kevin,

Tagging up is tagging up, regardless of where the ball is hit to.  If the runner on third left early, then yes, the 3rd baseman can tag the base and the runner would be called out for failing to tag up properly.

Proper baseball mechanics would instruct the runner at third to stay on or very close to the bag just in case the ball is caught.

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover

Baseball Instruction

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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)

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