Tagging up on a dead ball

Question
Slow pitch softball.  Runner on first.  Batter hits a shot that looks like its going to sail over the shortstop's head.  Runner on first takes off.  Shortstop has an unbelievable vertical and makes the catch.  Runner turns back to first.  Shortstop attempts to throw him out but throw is wild and goes out of bounds.  Umpire yells, "Dead ball" and awards runner third.  Runner stops, turns and heads to third.  He never actually makes it back to first to tag up.  When he gets to third, the pitcher makes a valid dead ball appeal, arguing that the runner did not tag up.

Is the runner out for not tagging up, or does the dead ball mean he does not have to tag up?

Answer
Hi Tracey,

A runner in this situation must be given the opportunity to complete their base running obligations.  The umpire should call "dead ball" and then hesitate to see what the runner is going to do.  If they show no intention to go back and retouch the base, the umpire then makes the award, in this case "3rd base".

If they proceed to 3rd without a retouch they are then liable to be called out upon proper appeal.  A dead ball does not mean they do not have to tag up.

As a sn once the award is made and the runner proceeds to the next base (in this case 2nd)w/out a retouch) it is now an illegal act to go back to retouch and the runner would be out upon appeal.

Mark