Questions asked

[Cecil4]

An umpire asked me after the fact whether he should have let a run count on a third out. The runner had touched home before the timing play out.
The out was a live ball appeal on a tag up at first, he treated it as a "force" play.

We don't need to discuss the rule or the ruling; which we know very well.
This was an experienced umpire. What I would like is suggestions on how to better teach the rule, timing vs. force, force vs. tag, etc. or at least how to understand those who get it wrong.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by Cecil4

An umpire asked me after the fact whether he should have let a run count on a third out. The runner had touched home before the timing play out.
The out was a live ball appeal on a tag up at first, he treated it as a "force" play.

We don't need to discuss the rule or the ruling; which we know very well.
This was an experienced umpire. What I would like is suggestions on how to better teach the rule, timing vs. force, force vs. tag, etc. or at least how to understand those who get it wrong.

Might not matter. We have a guy who's been umping for 28 years - and he's got about 2 year's worth of experience.

[Cecil4]

These are the comments I included in my monthly report to our association members. I cited USA rules because that is all we have this time of year.
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Runs do not score if the play results in a third out which is a force or an out at first base.
Runs do score if the runner touches home plate before a third out on a timing play, such as
- a live ball appeal of a tag up or;
- an appeal of a missed base, which was not a force out or an out at first base.
USA Softball Rule 5, Section 5; Rules Supplement 43