Tag out facts for kids

A 1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card shows a baserunner being tagged out at third base.

In baseball and softball, a tag out is a way for a player to be called "out." It happens when a defensive player touches a baserunner with the ball. The player can also touch the runner with their hand or glove while holding the ball. This must happen when the ball is "live" (meaning the game is active). The runner must also be "in jeopardy" of being out, usually when they are not safely touching a base.

A first baseman tags a runner who is diving.

A baserunner is in jeopardy (at risk of being out) when any of these things are true:

• The runner is not touching a base. (There are a few special cases, like when you run past first base or get a free base, such as on a base on balls.)
• The runner is touching a base but must move because the batter became a baserunner. This is called a force play.
• The runner did not "tag up" after a fly ball was caught. Tagging up means touching the base before running to the next one.
• The runner failed to touch a base when they last passed it. Or, they did not touch the bases in the correct order.
• The runner is touching a base that another runner ahead of them is also touching. (This does not apply if the runner was forced to advance to that base.)

Tagging is the most common way to get runners out who are not part of a force play. However, a runner who is forced to advance can also be tagged out. A tag out can also be part of an appeal play.

How a Tag Out Works

A softball catcher tags a runner sliding into home plate.

Sometimes, runners trying to advance are "thrown out." This means a fielder throws the ball to another player covering the base. That player then tags the runner before they reach the base. If a runner moves too far off a base before the pitch, they might be "picked off." The pitcher throws to a fielder covering the base, who then tags the runner out.

When a runner is tagged out, it can change things for other runners. If a runner behind them was "forced" to advance, they might not have to anymore. For example, if a ball is hit sharply and caught by the first baseman, they might tag out the runner at first base. This runner was forced to go to second. But once that runner is out, a runner already at second base is no longer forced to go to third. This action is called "removing the force."

When a fielder tries to tag a baserunner, a special "base path" is created. This path is about 3 feet wide. It goes from the runner to the base they are trying to reach safely. If the runner steps outside this path to avoid a tag, they are automatically out.

However, a tag is not valid if the fielder drops the ball after touching the runner. Also, if the fielder tags the runner with their glove but the ball is in their other hand, the runner is not out. The same is true if the ball is in their glove, but they tag the runner with their free hand. The ball must be in the hand or glove making the tag.

The History of Tagging

In early versions of baseball, players could get a runner out by throwing the ball directly at them. This was called "soaking" or "plugging." It was a rough way to play! The 1845 Knickerbocker Rules were very important. They were some of the first official rules for baseball. These rules banned "soaking" and made tagging the official way to get a runner out. This change also allowed for harder baseballs to be used in the game.

Related Baseball Terms

• Rundown
• Run out - This is a similar play in the sport of cricket.
• Tag (game) - A common children's game.

Images for kids

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  A shortstop tries to tag out a runner who is sliding headfirst, trying to reach a base.