Rule 4.09 - A run scores when a runner
touches home plate before the third out is made, EXCEPT that no run can sco=
re
when the third out is the result of a force play, or when the batter is put=
out
before reaching first base.
Many people believe that a FORCE OUT is any play where you can put out a ru=
nner
simply by touching a base. This is NOT correct. Many people think th=
at
when you tag the runner instead of stepping on the base that the runner was
forced to; that this is not a force-play. This is also NOT correct
There are three types of plays where to=
uching
the base is all that is required.
1.&n=
bsp;
When
a runner must advance because the batter became a runner. (This is always a=
FORCE
play)
2.&n=
bsp;
When
an appeal is made that a runner missed a base while advancing or retreating.
(This could be a FORCE PLAY if the base being appealed is one to which the
runner was forced to advance. Otherwise it is not.
3.&n=
bsp;
When
an appeal is made that a runner did not retouch (tag-up) after a fly ball w=
as
caught. (This is NEVER A FORCE PLAY)
Rule 2.00 which contains definitions is=
an
important part of the rule book. Many people do not understand what a force
play is.
A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a runne=
r legally
loses his right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a runner.
This means anytime a batter is put out before reaching first base ALL forces
are off. If a following runner who was forced to advance is put out, the fo=
rce
on the preceding runner is removed.
Confusion regarding this play is remove=
d by
remembering that frequently the "force" situation is removed duri=
ng
the play. Example: Man on first, one out, ball hit sharply to first baseman=
who touches the bag and the batter-runner is out. The =
force
is removed at that moment and the runner advancing to second must be tagged=
. If
there had been a runner on third or second, and either of these runners sco=
red
before the tag-out at second, the run counts. Had the first baseman thrown =
to
second and the ball then been returned to first, the play at second was a f=
orce
out, making two outs, and the return throw to first ahead of the runner wou=
ld
have made three outs. In that case, no run would score because the batter m=
ade
the third out before reaching first.
Example: NOT a force out. One out. Runner on first and third=
.
Batter flies out. Two out. (All forces are now
removed) The runner on third tags up and scores.
Runner on first tries to retouch before the throw from the fielder reaches =
the
first baseman, but does not get back in time and is out. Three outs. If, in=
the
umpire's judgment, the runner from third touched home before the ball was held at first base, the run counts.
The above two paragraphs are from the r=
ule
book. In the example above, you must understand that the batter was out on =
the
catch. That removed any force play by definition of force play. The attempt=
by
R1 to return to first after the catch is NOT a force play. It is an appeal =
play
and for scoring purposes a TIME play. People frequently make the mistake of
saying he is forced to tag up, thereby thinking it is a force play. The pro=
per
statement is; he must retouch. But, any play on the attempt to retouch is N=
OT a
force play, because the batter has been put out.