# Runner on third **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 20, 2001, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950 "2001-05-20T00:04:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rmat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@Rmat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rmat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/1 "2001-05-20T00:04:33Z")
with two out. Batter ropes one to the gap, easily scoring the baserunner. Batter reaches second. But, on the appeal play, batter is called out at first for failing to touch bag. Does the run score? ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/2 "2001-05-20T00:20:48Z")
Yes, if the runner touches home before the batter (didn’t) tag first base. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/3 "2001-05-20T00:22:10Z")
Nope, a run cannot score on a play when the last out is made at first base. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/4 "2001-05-20T00:28:00Z")
This is from rule 4.09 of the Official Rules of Baseball > [@](#): > > Approved Ruling: Two out, bases full, batter hits home run over fence. Batter, on appeal, is declared out for missing first base. Three outs. No run counts. You can read the various approved rulings at [http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball\_basics/mlb\_basics\_start\_and\_end.jsp](http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_start_and_end.jsp) ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/5 "2001-05-20T00:39:25Z")
I should be more precise in that no run can score when the third out of an inning is a _force_ out at first or a _force_ out at another base. If the batter-runner misses first and is declared out on appeal, this is considered a force out. ---
**Author:** ![Rmat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@Rmat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rmat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/6 "2001-05-20T01:17:52Z")
Thanks. Sort of a harsh rule, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/7 "2001-05-20T01:57:22Z")
No. Good rule. Why is it harsh? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/8 "2001-05-21T17:38:29Z")
> [@](#): > > no run can score when the third out of an inning is a _force_ out at first or a _force_ out at another base. So suppose the batter instead lays down a slow bunt down the first base line, and the pitcher picks it up as the runner from third steps on home. If the pitcher _tags_ the batter-runner as he passes, the run scores, but if the pitcher alertly throws to first, no run scores. Yes? No? ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runner-on-third/65950/9 "2001-05-21T17:56:20Z")
No. A force out gives the defense an alternate means of obtaining the out: you can tag the base and don’t have to tag the runner. But you can still tag the runner. That doesn’t change the nature of the out. A force out situation arises when a runner or a batter must tag the base. A runner must tag a base when or after the ball makes contact with a fielder’s glove on a flyout to advance. Leaves before and he’s forced to go back and tag the base. On a hit ball, a runner on first is forced to go to 2d to make room for the batter at first. Likewise, with runners on 1st and 2d, etc. Whether you tag the base or the runner is immaterial. If with a runner on first, the play is made at first first, to get the batter, the force out is removed and the runner hsa to be tagged for the out.