Batter runner out at first

[Tim C]

Actually Rita Federation has gone so far as to make two official rulings:

1) If a players shoestring touches the base during a force out or a play at first that is deemed the same as touching the base with any body part and,

2) If the hair of any player touches the base during a force out or a play at first this is deemed the same as touching the base with any body part.

The umpires ruled incorrectly if every thing was as you posted.

T