How is a “hard tag” defined?

• A. A tag made with the ball in hand or glove touching the runner.
• B. A tag made by a defensive coach.
• C. A tag made after the runner is on a base.
• D. A tag without touching the runner.

Answer: (A)

A hard tag is the act of a fielder touching the runner with the ball in hand or in the glove. That contact, while the fielder has possession of the ball, is what makes the runner out when they are not touching a base. The defender must have the ball and make contact with the runner; tagging with the ball or glove is the legal way to record an out. The other options don’t fit because a tag isn’t performed by a coach, it isn’t about tagging after the runner is on a base, and a tag without touching the runner isn’t a tag at all.