Force out at First and fielder loses control of ball after touching the bag

[Donald Courtney]

Scenario:
USA fastpitch softball rules:
Dropped third strike, batter runs to first base.  Catcher throws to first base, first base catches the ball and steps on first base.  While stepping on the bag, First baseman reaches out to tag the runner as well and loses control of the ball and ball drops.  Foot clearly touched the bag first but the first baseman lost control of the ball.  
Question: Does the out qualify immediately when the fielder's foot comes in contact with the bag or in this case, when the fielder reaches out to apply a tag as well, they must then maintain control of the ball?

[Mussgrass]

As long as the fielder had control of the ball at the instant he or she touched the base it would be an out.

If it was a tag of the runner only then it would be a higher standard of control to be an out. Control would need to be maintained through the completion of the tag.

[Velho]

Not exact match but here is a reference play and rule exploration

 

[beerguy55]

Provided it's not all instantaneous/simultaneous - ie. F3 makes catch and is tagging the runner at the same time he's first tagging the base - this is likely an out.   You're gonna want "a beat" between making the catch with foot on bag and contact with the runner causing the ball to come out - you need to be satisfied that F3 did indeed have control before contacting the runner.

[MadMax]

Is a tag attempt (and subsequent fumble) “voluntary release”? That’s what we’re essentially discussing / interpreting. 

Let’s say we have a R1 stealing, and a line drive at F4. F4 gloves the line drive, and as R1 is in close proximity, makes the tag attempt… 

… do you have a catch (for an Out)? 

… and during the tag attempt, the ball pops out… 

… obviously, no tag… but do you still have a catch? 

 

[noumpere]

6 hours ago, MadMax said:

Is a tag attempt (and subsequent fumble) “voluntary release”? That’s what we’re essentially discussing / interpreting. 

Let’s say we have a R1 stealing, and a line drive at F4. F4 gloves the line drive, and as R1 is in close proximity, makes the tag attempt… 

… do you have a catch (for an Out)? 

… and during the tag attempt, the ball pops out… 

… obviously, no tag… but do you still have a catch? 

 

I do.  The separate tag attempt is enough to show control.

[834k3r]

15 hours ago, noumpere said:

I do.  The separate tag attempt is enough to show control.

Timing is yuuuuge on this play for sure.