Tag out

Written byNick Gilden Hours Last Updated on Categories Baseball

What is the Meaning of Tag Out in Baseball?

A tag out is one way in which a player can be put out during a game of baseball. Tag outs occur when a fielder touches a base runner when they are between bases or not in a safe position.

To tag a player out, the fielder must be holding the ball and must touch the runner whilst they are not in a safe space or on a base. Runners also have to adhere to certain rules to ensure they aren’t automatically tagged out. For instance, a runner must only stay on the base path between bases and must touch the base to ensure a run. If the runner doesn’t touch a base, they are vulnerable to being tagged out and can also have their run discounted.

What is the Difference Between a Force Out and a Tag Out?

A force out is when a runner on the bases is forced to leave his base because of an action taken by the defense. A tag out, on the other hand, is when a defensive player tags or touches a runner while they are still in contact with their base.

I'm Nick, a professional researcher & writer by day and a die-hard baseball fan by night. I have a deep love and knowledge of the game and love sharing it with others. I've been involved in baseball in one way or another for as long as I can remember - playing the game on an amateur level since I was a kid, writing about the game for my college newspaper, and now working with some of the biggest names in baseball media.