Are all base runners required to tag up on fly outs?

by wooseok nam
(Cresskill, New Jersey, United States of America )

Wooseok asked: Are all base runners required to tag up on fly outs, no matter what base they are on, or how many outs there are or where its hit?

If so, when would you want to advance when it's down the gap in the outfield or when its just far in the outfield?(1)

When a line drive is hit do you always freeze when it's less than two outs and do you tag up?

What if it's two outs or more, what would you do then?


Rick answered: Wooseok, thank you for your question.

To be able to advance on a fly ball out with zero or 1 out, all base runners, no matter what base they are on, have to tag up. They can leave the base on the catch and attempt to advance.

Base runners do not need to tag on fly balls with two outs. If the ball is caught, the inning is over. If not caught, they can continue to advance.

Where it is hit does not matter, as long as it stays inside the boundaries, fair or foul. Base runners must tag to advance on fair fly balls as well as foul fly balls.

A runner's decision of when to attempt to advance is determined by a few things:

1. How far the ball is hit

2. How good the fielders arm is that is making the catch

3. How fast the runner is that is on base

All three are factors on whether they choose to run, or stay.

When a line drive is hit in the infield, with less than two outs, you want to freeze. If it is caught, you can get back to your base without getting doubled up.

If it is hit into the outfield, a runner has decisions to make. If it is going deep; but still looks like it will be caught, tag and advance on the catch.

If not deep, gain as much ground towards the next base as you feel you are safe doing, if it's caught, you can get back to your base.

If it's not caught, you are in a good position to advance to that next base, and maybe one more base further.

If it is two outs, you are running when the ball is hit. If it is caught the inning is over.

If it isn't caught you get as many bases as your speed and the fielder's arm will allow.

Yours in baseball,

Rick