Force out or not; score the run?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by KenThree

Need help on a play.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.

Batter hits fly ball that is caught by center fielder.

Runner on 3rd tags up properly, while runner on second runs like there are two outs, not tagging up.

Center fielder throws to second, but throw is not caught and rolls into infield. Pitcher picks up the ball and throws to second baseman before runner can return to 2nd base.

While this happens, runner on 3rd scores.

Is the out a 2nd a force out and the run does not count? Or is it not a force out and the run counts?

As you can see from my log-in, I am a long-time member of the forum as a basketball official and not a fan boy. So I knew that coming here would get me the right answer. That's all I need.

Thanks

It's not a force. A force requires that the batter becomes a runner and the runners are forced to leave their respective bases. In your situation, the batter is out. And there was no runner on first, so no force possible.

A lot of people think it is a force because the fielder usually makes the out by holding the ball and tagging the base, which is how the out is usually made on a force play.

Since the out is not a force, and the run scores before the out, the run scores.

Rita