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Rules
Understanding the “Slide Rule”
Have you ever been confused about whether a runner has to slide when approaching a base when a tag may be made? Truth is, they don’t have to slide if they make an attempt to get around a fielder. This FAQ will help clear up things for you.
Rule 7.08 (3) for both baseball and softball reads:
“Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.”
A few points of emphasis:
- The runner has a choice; he/she may slide or he/she may attempt to get around a fielder. So it’s not mandatory for the runner to slide in these situations.
- If runner’s choice is not to slide and instead attempts to get around the fielder who has the ball, it does not mean runner must avoid contact — contact alone does not make the runner out if in the umpire’s judgement they made an attempt to get around.
- The fielder must have possession of ball and be waiting to make the tag for either choice to matter — if NOT, the baseline and the base belong to runner.
Our youth umpires are trained to apply this rule correctly, but sometimes we see disagreements on what constitutes an “attempt.” The attempt is a judgment call by the umpire. If the umpire says the runner made an attempt then their decision stands (and should not be debated or influenced by managers, coaches, players, parents, etc.).