dumb runner

Question
A friend asked me this question and I wasn't sure of the answer.  Situation is runner on first, nobody out.  Batter grounds ball to first baseman, who steps on the bag.  The runner never leaves the base. The first baseman tags the runner after stepping on first. Is the runner out or is he safe because the force play has been removed? I read the rule book but didn't find where it applied exactly to this situation. Thanks.

Answer
Bill,

In this situation, as soon as the batter hits the ball, the runner on first loses his right to occupy first base.  "A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a runner legally loses his right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a runner."

In this case, the runner must try for second.  However, the runner must be tagged out if first base is touched before the play is made at second.  In all cases, the runner may not retreat to first base.

Hope this helps!

Brian