Learning the nuances of how to run the bases can mean the difference between winning and losing. Base runners with excellent instincts can gain a split-second advantage over those who are unsure of what to do or what the rules will allow them to do. Understanding the rules on tagging up and how to do it properly can turn an average base runner into a confident one.
Basics of Tagging Up
When a runner is on any base, he can advance to the next base on a fly ball out by running after the fielder has caught the ball. Typically, a runner on second or third will tag up when a fly ball has been hit deep to the outfield with no outs or one out. The runner cannot leave until the ball is caught. As soon as that happens, he can take off for the next base. He must be tagged out when the infielder catches the ball. It is not a force play. A runner can also tag up from first base, but that happens rarely. Most times on a fly ball, the runner on first base will go halfway to second and run if the ball is not caught or head back to first if it is caught. However, in the late innings of a close game, a runner might try to tag up from first base.
Foul Balls
A runner can tag up on fly ball in foul territory. If a ball is caught in foul territory by the right fielder, the runner on second might have an excellent opportunity to get to third because of the distance of the throw. Interestingly, a foul infield fly might provide a better opportunity to tag up than an outfield fly. If the infielder takes off on a sprint with his back turned to home plate, he might not be able to put much momentum on his throw. If a long foul fly is hit in the late innings in a tied game, the team in the field might choose to let a foul fly hit the ground because they want to prevent their opponent from having the opportunity to move up a base.
Loop Hole
The rule does not state that the outfielder has to catch the ball in order for the runner to tag up. Instead, the runner can tag up as soon as the ball hits the fielder's glove. That keeps the fielder from juggling the ball and running toward the infielder in order to prevent the runner from taking off. If the outfielder chooses to intentionally bounce the ball up in the air and run toward the infield, the runner can take off from the moment the ball first hits the outfielder's glove.
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