Expert: John McInnis - 9/19/2005

Question
I have 2 questions:

1. When is a base runner required to "tag up". The only thing I have been able to read in the rules is that a runner is required to tag up after a fly ball is caught either in or out of fair territory. Is that correct?

2. How is a game recorded if it goes more than 5 innings and is called on account of rain with the score tied and the rest of the game is not played?

Answer
Hi Scott,

1. Runner must 'tag up' on base after fly ball is caught and between each pitched ball.  That's about it.

2.  In our league, a game is considered played after 3.5 innings.  So, in your case, the game ends in a draw.  In some leagues, the game would not be counted, in others, both teams would be awarded a win (strange but true). I can even mention that in one league I played, the game would be determined by the score after 3.5 innings were played.  YES...I know...I've seen a team that was winning in the 6th inning LOSE the game on account of the rain.

Yours in baseball,

JohnMc