Runner fails to tag - dead ball is called....???

[EricH]

Another clarification from May 2013:

Play: With one out and R1 on 1B, B3 hits a long fly ball to F7 which is caught. R1 leaves 1B before the ball is touched by F7 and has rounded 2B on their way to 3B when F7 throws the ball into dead ball territory. R1 is standing on 3B when the ball entered dead ball territory. Does the runner have the right to return to 1B since they have already touched an awarded base?

Ruling: Base runners should always be given the opportunity to return and touch a base missed or left too soon when the ball becomes dead. The issue of “Once a base runner advances to the next awarded base, the runner may no longer return to touch any base missed or any base left too soon,” only applies after the runner is awarded that base. In this play, R1 has made it to 3B during the play and the award has not been given yet. R1 has not reached the base they would be awarded. Once the ball is declared “dead” and the umpire gives the award of two bases, the R1 has to go back to the base they left too soon or if R1 continues to HP from 3B, R1 would not be able to return. The award must be given and the runner must then touch the bases they are awarded.

NOTE: "Once the ball is declared 'dead'... the (runner) has to go back to the base they left too soon."

The runner can return after the ball has been declared dead. That should clarify.

Sorry. No beer for you.