My HS team played a game yesterday. Runner at 3B was off the bag and got picked by the pitcher. Third baseman tags him while he is off the bag - out. BUT the 3B drops the ball. Umpire calls the runner out while the ball is on the ground.....after an umpire meeting etc, they said that the 3B held onto the ball long enough for him to have had possession and call the out. (It was not a case of the 3B dropping the ball on the exchange to throw it anywhere).
I thought the fielder needed to make an intentional move to release the ball, not a judgement call. By NFHS rules, are the umpires right?
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