First Touch Rule and Tagging Up

Question
QUESTION: We had a situation where the runner on second base tagged up on a bobbled ball. Then the runner returned to second realizing that they could not safely advance to third. The second baseman then threw the ball to second and the runner was ruled out.Was that a force out or did the runner need to be tagged out?

ANSWER: Hi Paul,

This is NOT a force out.  It is a live ball appeal of a base left too early on a caught fly ball.  No tag is nec.

Mark

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

QUESTION: Mark,
The second baseman did indeed catch the bobbled pop up but they claimed the runner already tagged up based on the first touch rule even though the second baseman didn't have possesion? Then when the runner returned they said she needed to be tagged?

Answer
Hi Paul,

Ok!!! that's better, more info.  Yes a runner can legally leave the base as soon as any defensive player 1ST touches a fly ball that is going to be caught.  The runner can leave on the bobble before the legal catch.  A tag of the runner in this case would be necessary as the runner had legally tagged up. Touching just the base does nothing.

I have used in the past the extreme example of a high line drive that deflects off a leaping 6'8" F6's glove and carries into LF where F7 catches the ball for the out.  Any runner can legally leave as soon as F6 touched the ball.

In the 1st answer I assumed the runner simply left early and that answer is correct for that situation.

Mark