Force out or not; score the run?
 

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

First: This is not a force out.

Second: The out at 2B base is a form of an appeal play. I call it an active appeal.

Third: This is a timing play. If the runner on 3B scores before the runner on 2B is out on appeal, then the run scores like in your play.

MTD, Sr.

Thanks Mark.
Had I known it would be you who would answer, I would have posted over on basketball. ;)

I would have gotten front court/back court or team control foul right. But when it comes to baseball, I know I need experts of this forum

Much appreciated.

First: there's no such thing as a timing play. The OP reports a time play.

Second: this is a retouch appeal. There's no such thing as an active appeal.

Third: otherwise your post is correct. :D

Semantics.

A good reason for not blasting coaches who mix up obstruction and interference. :D

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

Fixed it.