Rule Clarification

Question
ASA Rules

(1) Bases were loaded and a fly ball hit to left field.  Left fielder bobbles ball a little then catches the ball before it hits the ground.  Now can the runners that are tagged, leave the base when the ball touches the glove or does the fielder have to have full possession of the ball before runner can go to next base?

(2) My second ? deals with Infield fly rule.  Fly rules are in effect, Ball is hit about 20ft beyond the dirt of the infielder "2B".  The second baseman caught the ball but the ump didn't call infield fly, just called batter out.  His reasoning was that the ball was to far in the grass to be considered by the rule.  Just want to know how far in feet will his decision be correct?

Also, can you give me the section in the rule book that answer these questions precisely?

Answer
Hi william,

a runner can leave the base legally as soon as any fly ball that is going to be caught touches any defensive player.  IE high LD that F6 jumps for, deflects off their glove and carries in LF where F7 catches it.  The runner can leave as soon as F6 touched the ball.  In your OP the same applies runners can leave as soon as F7 touched the ball they do not have to wait until the ball is secured.  ASA 8-4-d

An IF is a fair fly ball "that can be caught with ordinary effort" by an infielder.  Dirt, grass, etc have NO bearing on if it is an IF or not.  In fact an outfielder can catch an IF and still have it be an IF, if it could have  been caught "with ordinary effort" by an infielder  Definition of IF.

Mark