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Tagging Up in Baseball: Ultimate Guide For Smart Baserunning

Written by Chris 

Published on February 22, 2024

On a sunny day, an eager 8-year-old dashed from second base, his eyes locked on third. But as the ball was caught in the outfield, he realized his mistake: he’d forgotten to tag up. Just like that, he was out. Moments like these highlight the importance of understanding baseball’s nuances. Tagging up in baseball isn’t just a rule. It’s a strategy and sometimes a tough lesson learned on the field.

What Is Tagging Up in Baseball

Tagging up is a key part of baseball strategy. When a fly ball is hit, baserunners need to return to their original base and wait until the ball is caught before trying to advance. This rule prevents runners from getting an unfair jump and keeps the game fair, rewarding fielders for making tough catches. It’s all about timing and reading the play—runners have to decide in a split second whether it’s worth the risk to tag up and try for the next base.

If a runner leaves their base before the catch, the defense can appeal, and the runner may be called out. This rule prevents runners from getting an unfair head start and rewards the defensive team for being alert and precise.

Runner And Fielder Responsibilities

Runners:  Their main objective is to advance, but they must be mindful of the fielder’s actions. Factors like their speed, the number of outs, and situational awareness all impact the decision to tag up or hold their position. The third-base coach can also signal the runner to go or stay.

Fielders: Outfielders aim to catch the ball cleanly and position themselves for a quick throw. They must anticipate the runner’s intentions and be prepared to make a strong, accurate throw to the infield to prevent advancement.

Multiple Tag Ups

In baseball, there are situations where more than one runner is on base, and a fly ball is hit. Each of these runners must make a decision to tag up or not. If one runner decides to tag up and advance while another doesn't, it can lead to confusion on the base path and potential outs. It's very important for runners to be aware of their teammates' decisions and communicate effectively to avoid being tagged out.

Factors Influencing the Decision to Tag Up

Type of Hit: Fly balls provide time for outfielders to position themselves, while line drives require quicker decisions due to their speed and trajectory. The depth of the fly ball also matters. Balls hit deeper into the outfield give runners more time to tag up and advance. 

Outs: With two outs, runners go on contact, as the inning ends with a catch. With fewer than two outs, runners must weigh the risks and benefits of tagging up.

Game Context: The inning, score, and overall game situation influence the runner’s choice. For instance, in close games, runners may take fewer risks to avoid costly outs.

The Outfielder's Role In Tagging Up

 Outfielders are not just catching the ball; they're playing a mental game, predicting a series of events and positioning themselves to make a play.

Type of Pitches Being Thrown: Outfielders are also very familiar with their own pitchers and what they throw. A fastball down the middle might result in a deep fly, while a curveball or changeup might produce a short pop. Outfielders adjust their positioning based on the pitch they anticipate.

Wind Conditions: The flight of the ball can change dramatically with the wind. On windy or rainy days, outfielders need to be even more alert, making real-time adjustments to their positioning to compensate for the wind.

Hitter Tendencies: Every hitter has a pattern, and seasoned outfielders will study these tendencies. Knowing if a hitter often goes opposite field or tends to pull the ball can be invaluable information when preparing for a potential tag-up situation.

Game Situation: The inning, the score, and the stakes of the game all play into the outfielder's strategy. In a close game, for example, the outfielder knows that every run is crucial, so they might play more aggressively.

Outfielder's Catch

The outfielder's main job is to catch the ball or at least keep it in front of them. But they also need to be ready to make a quick, accurate throw back to the infield.

Positioning is key—outfielders must get under the ball in the best spot to catch it cleanly. Once the catch is made, they quickly transfer it to their throwing hand and fire it to the infield. A strong, accurate throw can make all the difference, stopping runners from advancing.

 

In fact, a strong-armed outfielder can be a serious deterrent for runners looking to tag up, as some are known for throwing out runners from deep in the outfield.

Understanding the Appeal Play

Umpires are tasked with making quick calls on whether a runner tagged up correctly. If the defense believes a runner left early, they can initiate an appeal. This requires the fielder to touch the base the runner departed, allowing the umpire to make a ruling. The umpire’s decision is final, underscoring the importance of accuracy in this aspect of the game.

Advantages and Strategy of Tagging Up

This section will discuss the advantages and strategies of tagging up, and how it can create scoring opportunities, improve situational awareness, and allow players to take chances.

Scoring Opportunities: A well-timed tag-up can lead to a scoring opportunity, especially from third base, with a sacrifice fly.

Taking a Risk: Sometimes, players take calculated risks by tagging up, challenging the outfielder’s arm strength and the defense’s accuracy.

Putting Pressure on the Defense: By attempting to advance, runners force the defense to make a play, which can sometimes result in errors.

Tagging up can create scoring opportunities for the team. When a player tags up, they are able to advance to the next base, which can put them in scoring position or even score a run from third. Here is an exciting video of Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran scoring from second on tag up.
Poster

Tagging Up Drills

To help players improve their tagging up skills, coaches can incorporate specific drills into their practice routines. One such drill is the "Fly Ball Tag-Up" drill. This drill aims to sharpen players' instincts on when and how to tag up during fly balls effectively.

Setup:
  • Position three outfield players and line up the baserunners at the initial base.
  • The coach should be stationed at the home plate, equipped with a bat and balls.
  • Baserunners will be trained on tagging up techniques from the first, second, and third bases.

Procedure:

The initial baserunner stands ready at the first base.

The coach hits or tosses a fly ball to the outfield.

The baserunner starts with a short lead, extending it once the ball is in the air.

If an outfielder catches the ball, the baserunner goes back to the bag. If the ball isn't caught, the runner can go to second.

The drill is then reset: the initial baserunner moves to the second base, and the subsequent player lines up at the first base.

Repeat the above steps, now with runners on both the first and second bases. In this scenario, the runner on the second has the option to tag up for fly balls directed towards the right field.

For the final setup, position the baserunners on the second and third bases, with a new player starting at the first base.

Guidance for Coaches:

Aim for catchable balls. This ensures baserunners grasp the essence of tagging up.

Advanced Variation: Before initiating each play, specify the number of outs, the current inning, and the score. This helps baserunners discern when to take risks and when to play it safe.

Simplified Version: For young teams, the coach can gently toss balls to the outfielders from a closer distance, such as near the second base.

FAQ's

What does tagging up mean in baseball?

A base runner stays on their base until someone catches the fly ball, then attempts to advance.

What are the consequences of not tagging up?

If the runner doesn't tag up and a player catches the ball and throws it to the runner's base before the runner returns, the runner is out.

When is tagging up required?

When a player catches a fly ball and the runner plans to advance.

Can you tag up from first base?

Yes, a runner can tag up from any base.

Is a tag up needed on an infield fly?

No, runners aren't forced to tag up on an infield fly.

Can you tag up on a foul ball?

Yes, you can tag up on a foul ball. However, if you catch the ball, you need to return to your original base before trying to advance.

What happens if you leave early while tagging up?

If a runner doesn't tag up after a caught fly ball, the fielding team can appeal the play by touching the base the runner left early. If the appeal is successful, the runner is out.

Is failing to tag up a force play?

No, failing to tag up is not a force play. A force play occurs when a runner must advance to the next base because the batter became a runner.

Final Thoughts On Tagging Up In Baseball

In baseball, knowing the ins and outs of tagging up is super important. It's not just about touching a base. It's about making smart choices on the field. While it might seem simple at first, there's a lot going on behind the scenes. Whether you're deciding to advance to the next base or watching how the ball is hit to the outfield, tagging up adds a cool layer of strategy to the game. It's just one of the many things that make baseball so awesome to watch and play.