Does the run count?

Question
QUESTION: Bases loaded, 2 outs.  Batter hits a soft liner to short which is dropped.  Runner on second is unaware there are 2 outs and doesn't start running until after the runner on third crosses the plate.  After much confusion, the shortstop tagged the runner from second before he reached third.  Does the run count?  (The umpire counted the run and said it would not have counted if our shortstop had stepped on third instead of tagging the runner.)

ANSWER: Randy,

As long as the runner from second is in a force play, the run would count.

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. (Official Baseball Rules)

Since there was a runner on first that was forced to second by the batter-runner, the runner from second was forced to advance to third. Whether he was tagged or not doesn't matter -- it's still a force play.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is a force play even though he was tagged, but the run does count?  Or did you mean to say does not count?

ANSWER: Randy,

I'm sorry... I did mean that it did NOT count. Simply, as long as the player tagged was in a force situation, it's the same as tagging the bag he's forced to.

I apologize for the confusion.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks.  We managed to win the game anyway, but I wanted to know for future games.  Not that it is likely to happen again.  Is there a place in the rulebook that explains a tag is still considered a force out?

Answer
Randy,

I had originally given you the Official Baseball Rules definition of Force Play:

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.

The exact rules to use, however, are:

7.08 Any runner is out when?br> (e) He fails to reach the next base before a fielder tags him or the base, after he has been forced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a runner.

4.09 HOW A TEAM SCORES.
(a) One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three men are put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1) by the batter-runner before he touches first base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases.