Expert: Rick Bundy - 6/3/2010

Question
Bases loaded; two out; force play at any bag in effect
batter hits grounder to short
short stop tags the runner from second to third AFTER runner from third crosses the plate
Does the run count?
(I know the run wouldn't count if the short stop tagged third as a force out)

Answer
Dave:  Thank you for your question!

The run would not count in this situation.

Their are two terms at work in this case:

1.  Force Play:  A force play is a play in which a runner ( one, two, or three runners ) loses his right to a base he occupies and is forced to advance because the batter becomes a batter-runner.  For a given runner, a force play ends as soon as he touches the next base or a following runner is put out at a previous base.


2.  Force out:  A force out is a putout during which a runner who is being forced to advance is tagged out, or is put out by a fielder who holds the ball while touching the base toward which the forced runner is advancing.

The force play is in effect and remains in effect, causing the runner from second base to reach third base safely.  The subsequent tag of the runner by the shortstop is what ends the force play, resulting in no run scored.  


To create a slightly different scenario as comparison:  Runners on first and third, one out.  Batter hits a fly ball to right field, which is caught by the right fielder for out number two.

Runner on third tags and scores as the right fielder throws the ball to first base, in time to get the non-tagging runner on first base for out number three.  

The runner from third scores before the third out is recorded at first base.

Run scores, as the play is not a force play.  Neither runner was forced to vacate their base.

Yours in baseball,

Rick