I would say, yes, the runner coming from 3rd is out. Motive is irrelevant. He stepped on the plate while in possession of the ball and the force play is invoked at that instant. Trying to read motives is a slippery slope anyway... This is the 3rd out and the inning is over.
NFHS 8-4-2-j
The runner is out when he fails to reach the next base before a fielder either tags the runner out or holds the ball while touching such base, after runner has been forced from the base he occupied because the batter became a runner (with ball in play) when other runners were on first base, or on first and second, or on first, second and third. There shall be no accidental appeals on a force play.
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Last edited by Mbilica; Sun Apr 09, 2017 at 01:09pm.
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