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Most experienced officials I know have abandoned the misconceived rookie concept of "when in doubt, they're out", and they have learned to "reward the better play" ---should doubt exist in their mind on a force or tag play.
That is, if the defense on a force play has played it cleanly (no drops, bobbles, etc) then they will make the runner prove that he beat the throw. IOW, tie then goes to the defense. That also applies to great diving plays, etc that would normally go for hits but did not due to excellent defensive plays. Even when those balls are not cleanly caught, it is still excellent play to stop the hit, and the defense will receive benefit of doubt when it's so close that the official is uncertain of safe or out. The defense has properly done everything they can do to attempt to retire the runner, and they made it so close that the official still has doubt. The defense has earned the benefit of doubt.
However, if the defense bobbles a routine ball or plays it lackadaisically, then they'll make the defense prove to them that they beat the runner with their play. The defense has now given the benefit of doubt to the offense through their below average play.
The same is true on tag plays.
When the throw beats the runner, it's up to the runner to prove that he gets around the tag. The official needs to see a definite missed tag for a safe call---even if his angle doesn't provide that a definite tag actually occurred. Likewise, when the throw is poor or late---causing a swipe or chase tag---then the defense better prove that they got that tag on the runner in order to earn the out.
That doesn't mean that all close calls are decided by that criteria.
Plays can be close yet still be without doubt in the official's mind.
That is, a fielder could bobble a groundball, ultimately resulting with a close play at 1B, yet still gain the out if the official is certain the ball beat the runner. Likewise, the defense could make a great diving stop resulting in a close play, but if the official is certain the runner is safe that should be his call---despite the great defensive play. Only when there is doubt in the official's mind does the criteria of rewarding the better play become a factor.
Freix
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