Tagging up and touching bases
WBSC · 2026–2029On a caught fly, a runner must remain on or return to their original base until the ball is first touched by a fielder. They may then advance at their own risk. It is the first touch that matters, not the later moment when the fielder finishes securing the catch.
The rule
On a caught fly, a runner must remain on or return to their original base until the ball is first touched by a fielder. They may then advance at their own risk. It is the first touch that matters, not the later moment when the fielder finishes securing the catch.
In practice
Runners must touch bases in legal order even when awarded advances, and must retouch them correctly when returning. The defense generally needs a proper appeal to claim an out for a missed base or leaving early on a caught fly. This is different from leaving early during the pitching action, which has its own immediate penalty.
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