Baseball Question

Grits · 06-03-2003, 08:28 PM

We had a big disagreement tonight at our softball game and so I thought I would see if anyone on Ifish was a baseball expert.

The questions is: Can runners advance after an outfielder catches a foul ball?

Half of us said yes and half said no. If it makes a difference our league doesn't allow stealing so some of the people considered it to be stealing.

Any thoughts??

barnettm · 06-03-2003, 08:32 PM

I believe they can advance because I have seen outfielders intentionally drop the ball to keep the runner from advancing.

ibeanfishin · 06-03-2003, 08:33 PM

YES

Cool Texan · 06-03-2003, 09:04 PM

Absolutely, Yes.

06-03-2003, 09:29 PM

Yes they can as long as they don't leave the base too early.

Silver Hilton · 06-04-2003, 07:01 AM

I think so. See rule 7.04, here. It says that runners may advance after a fielder catches a ball in a dugout, which would be a foul ball.

SCUTZ ZA · 06-04-2003, 08:01 AM

100% Yes I have done it many times, and you see it all the time in the Bigs. If a player makes a play on a ball, the play is live until the umpire calls time. I saw a M's game where the third baseman caught the ball then tripped over the bullpen mound and the player scored from second. Of course that was in the Dome.

Jeffhead · 06-04-2003, 10:06 AM

Grits,
It's just another caught fly ball. Runners may advance at there own risk after the catch (USSSA Sec. 6. BASERUNNERS ARE ENTITLED TO ADVANCE WITH LIABILITY TO BE OUT: C. When any legally caught fly ball, is first touched by a fielder.). If they leave early the defense may appeal and if the blue (or red if its USSSA) is watchin' then you will get the out. Just remember you can advance when the ball is first touched (not securely caught) by the fielder (he may juggle the ball to secure the catch). By the by what rules are you playing to (USSSA, ASA, NSA)??? I call ball so take this one to the bank!!
SH,
The OBR rule that covers tag ups after a caught fly is 7.10, 7.04 covers when a baserunner can advance without liability to be put out.
Jeff

[ 06-04-2003, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Jeffhead ]

Silver Hilton · 06-04-2003, 01:17 PM

Oops, my mistake. I was reading fast, and those rules make IRS regulations look easy.

husker · 06-04-2003, 01:49 PM

a runner may advance after tagging up as long as the person catching the ball does not leave the legal field of play at which time the runner gets the next base + 1 if he is halfway to the next base when the fielder leaves play.......this is because during most softball games the legal field of play is only 20' outside of the 1st and 3rd base lines.

Jeffhead · 06-05-2003, 06:40 AM

Husker,
If the fielder catches the ball and then goes into DBT and it is unintentional the runners all move up 1 base from the last base possessed, if the umpire feels it was intentional then all runners receive 2 bases from the last base possesed. There is no 1 + 1!!!
Jeff