Clarification of previous question

Question
QUESTION: Mark,

The answer on 6/14 about the runner on 3rd leaving at the point of contact with the bat.  Why is that leaving early?  Also, why isn't the runner out if the 3rd baseman tags the base before the runner tags up.  I'm confused.

Geoff

ANSWER: Hi Geoff,

I never said R1 left early, and I did say he was out if f5 tagged the base before r1 could tag up.....I'm confused if we're talking about the same question


Mark

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

QUESTION: Answer
hi jacked,

this would not be an IF because 1st and 2nd weren't occupied.  Also the height of the backstop has nothing to do w/ an IF or not.  An IF cannot be a line drive or a bunt attempt, that's it.  Anything else in the air can be an IF.

Ok line drive caught by F5 who then steps on 3rd ahead of the runner off base.  The runner is out but this is not a force play.  It is a live ball appeal of a base left too early.

Mark
This is your answer.  I'm confused too.

Answer
ok... somebody started something about this being an IF, I just said why it wasn't.

Now R1 left when the ball hit the bat, so far ok, but the line drive was caught by F5 who tagged the base before R1 could return. The OP thought R1 was safe because F5 tagged the base not the runner and The OP mentioned something about maybe this being a force out.

I stated R1 is out, not because it is a force play, it is not.  R1 is out because it is a live ball appeal of a base left too early, which is umpire talk for a fielder either contacting the base while in possession of the ball (or tagging the runner which didn't happen here) before they can return to tag the base on a caught fly ball.  he left early on a caught fly ball, not early as before the ball was batted.  If a runner leaves before they are allowed to on a pitch, it is a dead ball runner out.

OK?

Mark