Tagging up after a pop up?

Question

Man on third, pop up to the pitcher, pitcher catches the pop up and thinking it is the third out spikes the ball. The man on third had left the base when the ball was hit and did not return to the base. The second baseman ran to pick up the ball and overthrew the third baseman in an attempt to tag out the runner before he returned to the base. Becasue the ball was overthrown the runner went straight home never returning to third base to tag up. Does he need to tag up prior to advancing in this situation?

Answer 1

You have come up with quite a story here.  The bottom line is that the runner still must tag up but is not automatically out.  This is an "appeal" play situation and the runner would only be called out on an appeal by the defensive team.  If an appeal by the defensive team is not made than the runner is not out and the run would count for the offensive team.

Edit:  Baseball rule 7.08d applies here.  The defensive team is allowed one appeal per play.  Based on your description, when there was an overthrow of third base it was just a continuance of the same play and not an appeal.  If the pitcher would have stepped off the rubber before delivering a pitch to the next batter and threw the ball to third base the runner would have been called out on appeal.  If the pitcher would have stepped off the rubber before delivering a pitch to the next batter and overthrew third base on the appeal the runner would be safe at home.  The reasoning behind this is that the ball would have to be retrieved and tossed back to third base a second time and that would constitute a second attempt at an appeal and the defensive team is only allowed one attempt.

Edit:

Thank you Fozzy.

Answer 2

yes the pitcher caught the ball to get the out. in less the pitcher caught it then milseconds later he threw it down

Answer 3

Frizzer is absolutely correct. I'm amazed that someone gave him a thumbs down. This is not as automatic out, it is an appeal play.If the defensive team does not appeal the play before play resumes, or if they make another play before making the appeal, the appeal is  not valid. His example of an overthrow being made is also correct. That does constitute a second appeal, which is never considered valid.

Edit. YW Frizzer - even off the field I call 'em as I see 'em.

Answer 4

He has to tag up unless the ball was thrown out of play.

Answer 5

MUST tag up

Answer 6

you can have your lead until he either catches it in which case you have to go back to third than run home.

or if he drops it that take off for home

Answer 7

Yes.  If the ball was caught and it was an out, the runner needs to go back, tag third then advance