Definition: A runner is safe when they reach a base before being tagged by a fielder or before the ball reaches the base on a force play. Being called safe means the runner is allowed to stay on that base and continues to be part of the game.
An umpire signals that a runner is safe by spreading both arms out wide to their sides. This ruling can happen on a close play where the runner’s foot or hand touches the bag just a fraction of a second before the defender catches the ball or applies a tag.
Example: The runner dove headfirst into third base and was called safe just before the fielder touched him with the ball.
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