bases loaded, throw to third

Question
I was playing catcher in a softball game. The bases were loaded, the ball was hit, and the third baseman fielded it. She tagged her base, then threw it to me and i tagged mine. The runner was called safe because i should have tagged her. Was that the right call?

Answer
Hi Rachel,

It was the right call and here's why.... a force out can happen when a runner is no longer legally entitled to the base they occupy.  When your 3rd baseman tagged 3rd the runner forced from 2nd was out.  The runner on 3rd going home now can legally reoccupy 3rd base so they are not forced to home.  You must tag them.

if it had happed the other way, 3rd throws to you for a force at home and you throw back to 3rd to force that runner you have a double play.

Hope this helps
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