What is a Caught Ball?
In baseball, a caught ball is when a fielder catches a fly ball or a line drive before it touches the ground. The fielder must have complete control of the ball in order to be considered a caught ball. A fielder who attempts to catch a ball, but drops it, is not considered to have caught the ball.
What is a Base Runner?
A base runner is a player who is currently occupying a base and is attempting to advance to the next base. A base runner must stay in contact with the base until the pitcher releases the ball. If a base runner leaves the base before the ball is released, they may be called out for “leading off the base.”
When Can a Base Runner Advance on a Caught Ball?
Base runners can advance on a caught ball in a variety of situations, depending on the type of caught ball and the context of the game.
Force Play or Tag Play
A force play or tag play occurs when a fielder catches a ball and either tags the base runner or forces them to the next base. In this situation, the base runner must attempt to advance to the next base as quickly as possible. If the base runner is not able to reach the next base before the fielder tags them, they will be called out.
Fly Ball
If a fielder catches a fly ball, base runners may advance as long as they tag up before the fielder catches the ball. Tagging up is the process of touching the base and waiting for the fielder to catch the ball. Once the fielder has caught the ball, the base runner may attempt to advance to the next base. If the base runner does not tag up, they may be called out for leaving the base too early.
Line Drive
If a fielder catches a line drive, base runners may not advance on the caught ball. This is because a line drive is considered a live ball, which means base runners must stay on the base until the ball is put in play.
Uncontested Steal
An uncontested steal occurs when a base runner attempts to steal a base without drawing the attention of the fielder. If the base runner is successful in stealing the base, they may attempt to advance on a caught ball. However, if the base runner is not successful in stealing the base, they may not advance on the caught ball.
Double Play
A double play occurs when a fielder catches a ball and throws it to another fielder, who then tags out two base runners. If the first base runner is able to reach the next base before the fielder throws the ball, they may attempt to advance on a caught ball. However, if the base runner is unable to reach the next base before the fielder throws the ball, they may not advance on the caught ball.
Extra Bases
If a base runner is able to advance to extra bases on a caught ball, they may do so without being tagged out or thrown out. This is because the fielder must throw the ball to the base that the base runner is attempting to advance to in order to tag them out.
Caught Foul Ball
If a fielder catches a foul ball, base runners may not advance on the caught ball. This is because a foul ball is considered a dead ball and base runners must stay on the base until the ball is put in play.
Conclusion
Base runners may advance on a caught ball in a variety of situations, depending on the type of caught ball and the context of the game. Base runners may attempt to advance on a force play or tag play, fly ball, or uncontested steal. However, base runners may not advance on a line drive, double play, caught foul ball, or extra bases. It is important for base runners to be aware of the rules and situations in which they may attempt to advance on a caught ball in order to avoid being called out.
Base runner, Caught Ball, Force Play, Tag Play, Fly Ball, Line Drive, Uncontested Steal, Double Play, Extra Bases, Caught Foul Ball