Baseball rules expert reqd

[silverfoxcc]

The batting team have one out
The next at bat hits a fly ball that is caught...two out

Runner at 2nd base makes it to 3rd base ( i understand he cannot run on a fly ball until after it is caught)

Now....is the ball/play dead?

Reason i ask is that during the Rays/Dodgers game the ball was thrown to the fielder standing near the mound, who then threw it to the short stop, who in turn threw it to the 3rd baseman, he watched the unner on base and when he took his foot of the base tagged him. Umpire called it as out.

So when is the ball officially dead?

[skibum]

Doesnt the umpire at the base have to rule it as a dead ball?

When you see people steal bases or dive into base - they will always look up at the umpire to confirm they are in and once given the signal can get up and dust off without fear of being tagged out. Once the ball is then in the pitcher's hand ready for the next pitch, I assume it is then back in play and the baserunner can be picked off and caught stealing.

But, I am far from an expert. Just my take on it. Perhaps the runner in your example assumed it was dead, when the umpire hadnt called it...

[skibum]

Wikipedia says:

In baseball, when the ball is dead, no runners may advance beyond the respective bases they are entitled to, and no runners may be put out. The ball becomes dead when:[1]
A batter is touched by a pitch or a batted ball (hit by pitch)
The plate umpire hinders a catcher's throw attempt and the throw does not directly retire a runner
A ball is illegally batted, such as when a batter hits the ball while outside of the batter's box
A foul ball is not caught
A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder (including the pitcher)
A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher
A live ball lodges in the umpire's or catcher's equipment or in a fence or in another object on the field
Any legal pitch touches a runner trying to score
A live ball passes out of the playing field (unless it hits or crosses over a base on the ground)
A runner or spectator commits interference
The defense leaves the field after the game ends
An umpire calls time. Umpires typically call "time" after being asked to do so by a participant. An umpire in chief (plate umpire) will also call "time" when: Weather, darkness or similar conditions make play impossible or dangerous
Light failure makes it difficult or impossible for the umpires to follow the play
An accident incapacitates a player or an umpire
The umpire wishes to examine the ball, to consult with either manager, or for any similar cause.
An umpire orders a player or any other person removed from the playing field.
A balk or obstruction is committed and immediate ensuing play ends
The catcher interferes with the batter before the time of pitch


In general, the ball does not automatically become dead after playing action ends.

After a dead ball, the ball becomes alive again when the pitcher stands on the pitcher's plate ready to pitch, the batter, catcher and umpire are ready, and the umpire calls or signals "Play."

Players and coaches may ask an umpire for "time," but they themselves may not call "time" and cause the ball to become dead. Nevertheless, "time" is usually granted by the umpire when asked, and thus, colloquially, it is often said that players or coaches indeed can "call time." Unlike other U.S. sports, the phrase "time out" is not used in baseball.