forced runners

Question
Hi John:

I coach Atom aged kids and had a question regarding forced runners.  I read a question/answer in this web site and was still unsure about something.

With the bases loaded, and one out, the batter hits a grounder and is thrown out at first.  As this then removes the force on the other base runners, must they still advance?  Obviously they would have started to advance on the hit if it wasn't a fly ball, but do they have the option of returning to their at pitch base?  Say the first baseman after catching the the ball and putting the batter/runner out has time to try to throw to second, can the base runner heading for second stop and return to first since it is now not occupied?  

Thanks,
Jim

Answer
Hi Jim,

My understanding of the forced play rule is that IF the batter/runner is forced out, the force is no longer in effect.  The force is said to be "removed" from the play.  

It's not a force if the preceding base is unoccupied.  So, in the situation you described, where the batter/runner is forced out, a throw to second would require the 2nd baseman to tag the advancing runner from 1st base, in order to achieve a 2nd out. Since the force is removed from the play, the advancing runner has the option to return to the time-of-pitch base in order to avoid the tag.

Hope this is clear,

JohnMc