Figure like playground chaser (5)
I believe the answer is:
digit
'figure' is the definition.
(numerical figure)
'like playground chaser' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'dig' (I've seen this in another clue).
'playground chaser' becomes 'it' (the person who is 'it' in a game of tag).
'dig'+'it'='DIGIT'
(Other definitions for digit that I've seen before include "one's given?" , "E.g. toe" , "Finger; numeral" , "Finger; number" , "Finger, thumb or toe" .)