Force Out Timing

[NYBLUE]

Originally Posted by bwbuddy

This happened in ASA slowpitch, but I would assume the answer is the same for all diamond sports.

Runners on 1st and 2nd. Grounder to the pitcher, who throws the ball to the 3rd baseman who gloves it cleanly, while the runner is roughly 2 feet away. However, the runner then accidentally bumps the 3rd baseman, and dislodges the ball from the fielders' glove, causing the ball to fall to the ground.

Is the runner now safe, or was he out the instant the fielder caught the ball cleanly, since it was a force out?

Did the 3rd baseman have control of the ball while on the bag (3rd)?
The OP made no mention of the actual base.