Getting a player out at second

[Guest Trivia]

The scenario is: runners on first and second base, one out. Batter hits a line drive back to the pitcher, who catches it (for the second out), and turns and throws the ball to second, where the second baseman catches the ball and steps on the bag. The runner is called out as the second baseman steps on the bag. Inning over.

My question is: why didn’t the second baseman have to tag the runner as he came back to second? Couldn’t he have tried to get to third? (Why was he automatically called out without being tagged?)

[kylehutson]

When the ball is caught in flight by a defensive player, the player has to "tag up" (i.e., touch the base they were on at the time of the pitch).[1] You typically see this when a ball is hit to an outfielder, and the runner leaves the base believing it to be uncatchable, then having to return to the base. The touch of the base is an appeal that he left the base early. The same holds true in your scenario, it just happens more quickly.

[1] OBR Rule reference 7.08(d): "Any runner is out when he fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder. [...] This is an appeal play;" Other rulesets have similar language.

[Rich Ives]

Happened in tonight's game.

 

[mac266]

11 hours ago, kylehutson said:

When the ball is caught in flight by a defensive player, the player has to "tag up" (i.e., touch the base they were on at the time of the pitch).[1] You typically see this when a ball is hit to an outfielder, and the runner leaves the base believing it to be uncatchable, then having to return to the base. The touch of the base is an appeal that he left the base early. The same holds true in your scenario, it just happens more quickly.

[1] OBR Rule reference 7.08(d): "Any runner is out when he fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder. [...] This is an appeal play;" Other rulesets have similar language.

What he said.

[Jimurray]

12 hours ago, Guest Trivia said:

The scenario is: runners on first and second base, one out. Batter hits a line drive back to the pitcher, who catches it (for the second out), and turns and throws the ball to second, where the second baseman catches the ball and steps on the bag. The runner is called out as the second baseman steps on the bag. Inning over.

My question is: why didn’t the second baseman have to tag the runner as he came back to second? Couldn’t he have tried to get to third? (Why was he automatically called out without being tagged?)

He wasn’t automatically called out. That throw and tag of 2B was an unmistakable appeal that the umpire ruled on. 

[maven]

And, to answer the question the OP didn't ask: no, the play at 2nd wasn't a force play. It was an appeal play.