Tag Up Appeal


With a runner on third base (R3) and one out, the batter flies to center field. The fly ball hits the centerfielder's glove, pops up, the centerfielder traps the ball on his chest, and then he finally secures the ball in his glove. The field umpire then signals a catch and an out. Meanwhile, R3 tagged up at 3rd base and left the base when the centerfielder initially touched the fly ball. R3 was easily safe at home. The defensive coach then appeals that R3 left 3rd base well before the centerfielder had gained "firm and secure" control of the fly ball (which was true).

Do the umpires uphold the defense's appeal and call R3 out and end the inning?

Call
On a fly ball, a runner may tag up and leave the base when the fly ball is first touched by the fielder (NF 8-2-4). In the play below, R3 left third base when the fly ball was initially touched by the centerfielder, so the defense's appeal is not upheld. The run scores.