SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/base-tag-up

A fly ball is caught. What must a runner do before running to the next base?

Go back and touch (tag up on) the original base.

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  1. Nothing, just run
  2. Touch home plate
  3. Retouch the base he started on ✔

Why: After a fly ball is caught, a runner must retouch his base before advancing. If he does not, the defense can appeal and get him out by tagging him or the base.

Huh, didn't know that: Runners may leave as soon as the ball is first touched by a fielder, not when it is finally held.

The dad joke
Why did the runner wait on third? He was told to tag along.
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References

Answer: Retouch the base he started on. After a fly ball is caught, a runner must retouch his base before advancing. If he does not, the defense can appeal and get him out by tagging him or the base.

  1. Official Baseball Rules, 2026 Edition (MLB) mktg.mlbstatic.com/mlb/official-information/2026-official-baseball-rules.pdf
    He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Sports & FitnessIn baseball slang, what is a "can of corn"?Sports & FitnessA batter pops the ball up into foul territory and a fielder catches it. Is the batter out?Sports & FitnessNormally, when can a fielder holding the ball tag a runner out?

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