It would NOT be a 4th out, as that play can only be made on a runner who scored in the inning. That was part of my previous argument, if you'll recall.

Petro -- That's how I imagined it should work as well. Just wished the rules were clearer on the fact that any out made on a runner counts as a force out, if a force play is in effect on that runner. I'm kind of surprised they don't explicitly state that when they go out of the way to explicitly add...

I agree there is a force play in effect, but I guess I'm not clear on why that automatically makes ANY out on that runner into a force out (for as long as the force play is in effect). To be clear, I think this is how it SHOULD work, but I am curious about the underlying rule which explains this. Al...

The runner at 2nd is out when he leaves field of play. Game over. The base runners must reach the next base for a run to score on a third out. He never reached. This looks like a never ending thread that will never make any sense. What rule are you citing to indicate that the runners must reach the...

The runner on third base crossed the plate. The runner on first base is a SUCCEEDING runner to the runner on third, not a preceding runner. So exception 3 would not apply. I DO agree that the runner from first base did not touch second base, but the same runner cannot be called out twice. If they ar...

I probably should have made it clear, but the batter-runner DID touch first base. The only one who didn't touch the next base was the runner from first. So like you, I'm trying to find a rule that says the force is still on if the runner is out for abandoning the bases. Or I guess it doesn't even ha...

I agree that is how it seems like the rules SHOULD shake out, but I'm unable to find support for that argument in the rules themselves. Looking further, I think the main relevant rules are: Rule 8.7.U - The runner is out once they enter their team area or leave live ball territory and Rule Supplemen...

Hello! I have a rules question. I specifically play ASA adult slow-pitch softball, but I think my question would likely apply to any form of baseball or softball. I was watching a game recently. The situation was tied score, time expired, two outs, home team batting, runners on first and third. The ...

I found a 2007 ASA softball rule book, and they have pretty much the same language. Rule 11, Section 3. A BASE HIT shall not be scored: A. When a runner is forced out on a batter ball or would have been except for a fielding error. I can't provide a link, since ASA likes to sell you their rule books...

It would have been impossible for the left fielder to make a play on the batter, even at the pro level I suspect. But I agree with FTM that the rule does seem pretty clear. It seems silly to "punish" the batter for what would otherwise be a base hit in the absence of base runners, but on the other h...