Expert: Matt Smith - 5/15/2008

Question
Runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out.  Line drive is hit to second baseman, he tags out the runner coming from first, the question is does he have to tag the runner returning to second or can he just tag the bag?

Answer
He can do either. Since he caught the ball, the runners must retreat back to the bag to avoid a force out.  If your question doesn't involve the 2nd baseman catching the ball, then the 2nd baseman would have to tag the runner out because after he tags out the 1st runner, all force plays no longer exist. Hope this helps.