Force Play

Question
During my daughter's game last night, the other team had a runner on first base. The ball was put in play in the infield, and the runner hesitated from first to second. The batter advanced to first safely but the ball was then delivered to second base prior to the runner reaching the bag. Is this still a force play or is the defense now required to tag the rynner since the batter reached first base safely. The umpire ruled the latter. Thanks !

Answer
Hi Paul,

Well lets understand what a force out is.  A force out is a play that may be made only when a runner loses the right to a base that the runner is occupying because the batter became a b-r and before the b-r or a succeeding runner has been put out.

In your play R1 lost the right to occupy 1st when the batter became a b-r.  Since the b-r was not put out, they legally occupy 1st.  The force continues to be in effect for R1 (because they have not advanced safely to the next base)and they may be put out by a defensive player in control of the ball contacting the base they are forced to or by tagging the runner before they advance to the base.  

Even if R1 was standing on 1st along with B1, R1 could be put out with a simple tag since they are not entitled to the base.

Mark