Baseball rule: when do you need to tag a runner?

Question

When does a defensive player need to make contact with a runner to get him out?
Sometimes the defensive baseman catched the ball and make contact with the runner to get him out. Other times, they only need to throw the ball to the base before the runner get there - I often see this in double or triple play. So when do they need to tag the runner. Can someone clear it up please. Thanks.

Answer 1

You can tag the runner anytime if you want, even when he's forced. He'll be called out as long as he's not on the base.



A better question would be "when DON'T you need to tag a runner?". The answer for that is:

1) when he's forced to advance to the next base by another runner or the batter

2) before he tags up when a batted ball is caught in the air.

3) he runs out of the baseline and is called out by the umpire.

4) he passes another runner on the bases and is called out by the umpire.

Answer 2

A lot of answers to this question are going to make the matter more complicated than it is.



The answer: Whenever the runner is off his base and he has not been forced to advance by the batter's becoming a runner. Exception: Either the runner or his base can be tagged if the runner left his base early on a play in which a fly ball has been caught. Another exception is when a runner misses a base: he or the base can be tagged. Both exceptions are appeal plays.

Answer 3

A baseball player only needs to tag the runner when the runner is not forced to moved. If it is force all you have to do is tag the base. You also have to tag the runner during a steal attempt and a pick off play. if they are not on a base and tagged they are out. You can make an attempt to tag someone also even if it is a force play if you want but don't have to.

Answer 4

You have to tag the runner anytime you don't have a force play at the base. This includes when a batter hits a ball to the first base man, he tags first base, then throws to second. The runner going to second is no longer in a force play since he could go back to first base at this point. When the runner has to go to the next base because there is a runner on the base behind him, a tag only needs to be made on the bag. If the base is empty, then the runner needs to be tagged.

Answer 5

Tag Out Baseball

Answer 6

a runner must be tagged whenever he is not being forced out. if a runner is, saying trying to get extra bases on a hit, he must be tagged because he is not forced to go to that base. however, on a double play, the runner on first does NOT need to be tagged because he is forced to run to that base.



if a runner must run to the next base, then it is a force play = no tag



if a runner chooses to run for an extra base, then no force play = tag needed

Answer 7

Whenever the base runner is not forced to run, then the baserunner must be tagged for the out. In other words, the base runner is trying to advance or return to a base on his own without any other action by another player or players on his team .

Answer 8

You need to tag the runner during a steal or pick -off. Also when a runner goes to second, third , or home plate because there is no force

Answer 9

If a baserunner has an unoccupied base ahead or behind him, he has to be tagged for him to be out. Otherwise, the defensive player only has to step on a base to retire a runner.



For example, the most common double play sees runners forced out at second base then at first. However, if the runner heading to first is put out first on a ground ball, then the runner going to second has to be tagged.

Answer 10

You have to tag the runner when there is no force on the play. For example, If theres somebody on first and third and the ball gets hit to the 2nd basemen he can throw the ball to home but since there was nobody on 2nd there is no force on home so the catcher has to tag the runner. Hope this cleared it up.