Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/30/2008

Question
This is actually 2 questions in 1 but I believe they are the same concept.

2 outs, runners on 1st and 3rd, ground ball to 2B, the 2B tags the runner advancing to second after the runner on 3rd crossed home, is this considered a force out, and not scoring the run, even though the fielder physically tagged the runner?

2 outs, runner on 3rd, ground ball to 3B, whose wide throw pulls the 1B off the bag, the 1B waits for the batter-runner to come to him and tags the batter-runner after the runner on third crosses home plate, is this considered a force out and does not score the run?

thanks for the help

Answer
Steve,

Both of these are force out situations.  As long as a batter or runner is 'forced' to go to the next base, if they are retired before getting there (either by a throw to the base or a tag) then they are forced out.  A run can never score on a force out play.

Hope this helps!

Brian