infieild fly rule babe ruth 13-15 year olds

Question
QUESTION: on an infield fly rule.... runners on first and second no outs.......fly ball hit to second baseman...umpire calls infield fly rule...baserunners are off thier base about 10 feet......   second baseman misses ball....do the baserunners have to tag up before advancing to the next base?????

ANSWER: Hi Eric,

good question.  I always told my players to tag up before advancing - even if the up waves them on.  It slows the momentum down and givse you (the coach) a chance to control the affects of the infield fly.  

I've never seen a ump call a player out for not tagging up and I don't think they'd complain if did  Sometimes you just never know.  Typically, the ump has stopped the play and the ball is dead - so its your call.  Why take the chance for a few precious moments (and steps)? Tag up then take the walk (stroll) to the next base.

Good luck with your season,

JohnMc

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: please read again ....your answer didnt make sense......their are 3 of us trying to figure out your answer thanks.....ie:  basically what do the base runners need to do at the moment the ball is missed....thanks. my runners were off their base and when the ball was missed....the "ump" said they had to tag up no matter what...so they picked up the ball and threw it to second and my runner who went to third was called out.... man on first did not advance....

Answer
========== follow-up no. 3 =======================

Hi Eric, for some reason I got three copies of this follow-up request.

So, I decided to answer all 3 in hopes of clarifying my response.   I must admit, I'm a bit tired after working 8 hours, ball practice and now my emails...maybe my mind is going too....hmmmm.

Unless BRB league has a house rule modification (like our league), I think the umpire was wrong in his call.  Since the ball was still in play, the ump called the IFF rule, the 2nd baseman purposely(?) missed the ball, the runner is not obligated to tag on a ball that hit the ground.

Now, if the ball was caught, THEN your runners would have to tag up before advancing.  I have played with our house rules for so long, I am always thinking that way; namely, the runners must tag up BUT are protected by the IFF rule. SO, in our league the ump orders them to return to base and once there, the ball becomes 'live' and the game continues.  That's why I instruct my players to take their time to return to base (my initial confusion).

I hope this clarifies things for you.

IF BRB rules are like the majors (no. 6.05e), then the lead runner did not have to tag because the ball touched the ground and the ump called IFF rule.

Time for coffee...

JohnMc

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