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akalsey:
You are absolutely correct in that once a runner reaches an advance base when forced, the force is off ON HIM. It is not off on any other runners who have not yet reached their advance bases.
EXAMPLE: Bases loaded. BR hits a shot to deep F6. For some reason, R3 hesitated on the play. R1 was off on the pitch, and beats the throw to 2B. The force is now off of R1 (as long as he does not retreat). But R2 and R3 ARE still forced. Where else are they going to go? The BR went to first, R1 went to 2B. R2 and R3 are FORCED (by the action of the batter becoming a runner) to advance. If they (R2 or R3) or their advance base are tagged before they arrive, no matter where R1 is now, they are out.
Somehow, you seem to be thinking, or at least stating, that once ANY runner reaches his advance base, the force is off on ALL runners. That just isn't true.
If that is NOT what you are stating, then I don't see where you are still confused on the now famous 3 runners on 3B play. R1 is NOT forced once he reaches 2B. Great, no problem, no disagreement. However, he has no protection at 3B as he is the trail runner (if two runners are on a base, the base belongs to the lead runner unless he was forced to vacate it). OK, if tagged, he is out, no matter what, he has NO safety no matter who gets tagged first. Rule 7.03
Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged. The preceding runner is entitled to the base.
But if the defense tags him first, OK, R1 is out, not by force, but because of the above stated rule (7.03). Now, because R1 is out, there is no force on R3. Under rule 7.03, R3 is entitled to 3B because there is no longer a force. Now, if both are tagged (in either order), R2 is out (see rule 7.03, as R3 is not forced to vacate 3B).
C'mon guys, these are BASIC rules presented in a little bit of a confusing example. I can somewhat see an ump with little experience MAYBE missing it in the heat of the action, but with all day to study it, it doesn't get much more basic than 7.03 and 7.08e.
Of course, I still can't find a rule number for "whoever f*d up is out".
[Edited by Atl Blue on Jul 18th, 2004 at 09:55 PM]
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