Triple Play or Double Play?

[Guest Johnny Arcarazo]

Runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs.  Batter hits a sharp one-hopper to shortstop, the runner on second never leaves the base.  The shortstop fields the ball, runs over and tags the runner standing on second, steps on second and throws to first.  Is this a triple play or a double play?  In other words, is the runner on second out when he was tagged even though he never left the base?

[pnewton]

As long as the events occured in the exact order you say, this is a triple play. The runner on second was forced, meaning he can't stay there, and second base is no longer a "safe haven"

If the shortstop had tagged second base first the force would be removed and the runner would now be able to use the base as a safe haven. This is why the order of events matters.