Question: In high school baseball and softball, a baserunner leaves the base too soon on a caught fly ball or line drive and is attempting to retag. Is this a forceout? Is defense required to tag the returning runner?
Answer: This is not a forceout; it is a time play in which the defense gains an out via a tag or by holding ball while on base before runner retags. (BB – Rule 8, Sec. 2, Art. 6(h); SB – Rule 2-1-12) This may also be considered a live ball appeal play.
Question: Runner on second base leaves too soon on a caught fly ball and has advanced to third as the ball enters dead ball area. Umpire awards runner home on the overthrow. Can the runner return to retouch second, third and then advance to home?
Answer: Runner is not permitted to return because he/she advanced one base beyond base left too soon AND ball became dead. The run counts unless defense makes a proper dead ball appeal. (BB – Rule 8-2-6(d) and SB – Rule 2-1-6(a)