Force outs vs Double plays

Question
Hello Dr. Ambrose, thanks in advance for taking my question. Here is the situation. There are two outs with runners on first and third. The batter hits a ball to right field and a catch is made. The runner at first leaves the base illeagally (did not tag up) and is doubled up at first base. In the meantime, the runner on third did in fact tag up and reached home plate prior to the double up at first. Should that run score? I believe it should not, and have had 4 different umpires agree with my thougts. Thanks again for your help.

Danny Abrams AKA dano

Answer
Hi Danny,
You're welcome!

I assume you mean 1st and 3rd w/ 1 out, not 2.

Well all 4 umpires and yourself are wrong, this is considered a "timing play" and is never a force out.  You can only have a force out if the batter becomes a b-r.  In this case they did not because the ball was caught.  You have no b-r to "force" any base-runner.

If R1 scored before the LBA (live ball appeal) of a base left too early on R2 the run would indeed count.

Tell those 4 to read ASA RS 21 Force play and RS 1 K. Tag-Ups. "When a runner leaves a base too soon on a caught fly ball and returns in an attempt to retouch, this is considered a time play and not a force out. When the appeal is the third out, all runs scored in advance of the appealed runner and prior to the legal appeal count."

Mark