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Rules, mechanics and game management for umpires who want to get the call right.
What does tag up mean in baseball? The college rule and the appeal that enforces it
To tag up is to retouch your base after a fly ball is caught. Under the 2027 and 2028 NCAA Baseball Rules a runner may leave the instant a fielder first touches the ball (Rule 2-16), and a runner who leaves early is out only if the defense appeals under Rule 8-6.
NCAA baseball rules vs pro rules: the differences umpires need
The 2025 and 2026 NCAA Baseball Rules and the 2026 Official Baseball Rules agree on the infield fly, the dropped third strike and courtesy runners. They part ways on six rules: the slide rule, obstruction of a batter-runner, the running lane, appeals, the hidden ball balk and conference limits.
What is a balk? The balk rule, explained for umpires
A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, and it entitles every runner to advance one base. Rule 6.02(a) of the 2026 Official Baseball Rules lists thirteen acts that are balks, from failing to come to a complete stop in the Set Position to feinting a throw to first base.
Obstruction vs interference: what is the difference in baseball?
Obstruction is committed by the defense and interference, most of the time, by the offense. Under the 2026 Official Baseball Rules, obstruction is a fielder without the ball, and not fielding it, impeding a runner, and the runner is protected (Rule 6.01(h)). Offensive interference is the team at bat hindering a fielder making a play, and the runner is out (Rule 6.01(a)).
The dropped third strike rule, explained for umpires
A batter may run on a dropped third strike when first base is unoccupied, or when first base is occupied with two out, under Rule 5.05(a)(2) of the 2026 Official Baseball Rules. With a runner on first and fewer than two out, the batter is out on the uncaught third strike under Rule 5.09(a)(3).
The infield fly rule, explained for umpires
An infield fly is a fair fly ball, not a line drive or an attempted bunt, that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort, with runners on first and second or the bases loaded and fewer than two out. Once the umpire declares it, the batter is out under Rule 5.09(a)(5) of the 2026 Official Baseball Rules, caught or not.