Tag (baseball)

thumb|A typical rundown situation in baseball showing a [[baserunner for the Texas Rangers as he attempts to evade the Chicago Cubs defense.]] In baseball, a rundown, informally known as a pickle, the hotbox, or goose chase is a situation that occurs when the baserunner is stranded between two bases, also known as '''no-man's land''', and is in jeopardy of being tagged out. When the baserunner attempts to advance to the next base, he is cut off by the defensive player who has a live ball, and attempts to return to his previous base before being tagged out. As he is doing this, the defender thr

in baseball, and out achieved by tagging a runner between bases with a live ball or the hand or glove holding it

In baseball, a pickoff is an act by a pitcher or catcher, throwing a live ball to a fielder so that the fielder can tag out a baserunner who is either leading off or about to begin stealing the next base. thumb|San Diego Padres pitcher [[Craig Stammen attempts to pickoff a baserunner]] A pickoff attempt occurs when this throw is made in an attempt to make such an out or, more commonly, to "keep the runner close" by making it clear that the pitcher is aware and concerned with the runner's actions. A catcher may also attempt to throw runners out who likewise "stray too far" from their bases afte