Is this an out?

[richray]

Was watching a fastpitch game recently and the following happened:

Ground ball hit to F5 who fields the ball and throws to F3. The throw was way off the bag but F3 manages to knock it down. In the process she falls flat on her stomach and grabs the ball with her bare hand, then stretches to touch the base with her empty glove and beats the B-R. BU calls the B-R safe saying that because the ball was not in the glove the runner was not put out. The PU backed him up on the call. I say the BR is out since touching the base is not the same as tagging the runner. BU said that the glove was detachable equipment and therefore the tag of the base was not legal. If that is the case, the F3 should remove her socks and shoes to make a put out at 1st since those are detachable as well. What do you think?