Baseball Instruction/tagging base with baseball

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Expert: - 6/12/2007


Question
It says in the Little League rulebook that a player may tag the base base on a force play with any part of his body as long as the ball is held firmly in the hand. But what about the ball itself? Is the ball considered a part of the body for this purpose? It seems wierd but did happen in a recent game that a thrid basement who had fallen down and could only touch the base with the ball after extending his arm--he made no contact with the base with his glove or hand.

Answer
Andrew,

in Rule 2.00-TAG it says a tag is "the action of a fielder in touching a base with the body while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove."

So, based upon my interpretation of this section, he did not "tag" third base, as it doesn't meet any of the requirements based upon the rule.  The ball itself if not part of the body, however a fielder's foot or hand is.

This is a rule that does receive much debate at clinics and classes I instruct at, and it's always fun to listen to the different play situations.

I hope I've helped.  Should you have any other questions, please let me know.

-Martin Hoover

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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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