Does the run count?

[Guest Nick]

Bases loaded - 2 outs.  Slow ground ball to the SS.  Rather than fielding it and tossing to second or third base to record a force out, the SS tries to tag the runner going to third.  He chases him and makes the tag just before the runner reaches third base - the third out is recorded on the put out.  However, the runner FROM third base crossed the plate before the tag was made.

 

Does the run count in this scenario?

[th3]

The run does not count because  the third out of the inning was the result of a force out - even though he tagged the runner and not the base, it is still a force out

[ALStripes17]

No, the runner going to 3B is considered out on a force out, does not matter that the last out is a tag of the runner or the base. No runs score.

[SoCal Lurker]

Yeah, what they said.  A rule that should be easy peasy for umpires, but which trips up fans and coaches because the most common force plays involve tagging the base.  But the definition of a force also includes tagging a player before he reaches the base to which he is forced.

[Umpire in Chief]

Same as the above. The way to think about it is the runner was forced, while the out was a result of a tag a forced runner was the 3rd out.

[FleasOf1000Camels]

Ditto to what everybody else said.

Check NFHS 2-24-1 for a VERY clear definition of a FORCE OUT.

 

Now if that runner had over-run 3rd, THEN been tagged out, that's no longer a force and the run would be good (as long as it scored before the tag).

 

Every umpire, coach and player needs to read OBR 4.09 including the AR's and commit them to memory.

[noumpere]

No, the runner going to 3B is considered out on a force out, does not matter that the last out is a tag of the runner or the base. No runs score.

I'd drop the word "considered" -- it makes it seem (to me) as if this is some sort of "special" case ("it's not really a force out, but it's considered to be one").

 

Too many think that "foce out" and "tag the base" are synonyms; while "tag the runner" and "time play" are synonyms.  They aren't.