OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES

Rule 5.09force play? Was the force removed when the batter-runnerwas out at first base? Do the runs that crossed theplate during this play and before the third out was madewhen the runner was tagged at second, count? Answer:The runs score. It is not a force play. It is a tag play.(7) He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ballhas touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead andno runner may score, nor runners advance, except runnersforced to advance. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touchinghis base when touched by an Infield Fly, he is not out,although the batter is out;Rule 5.09(b)(7) Comment (Rule 7.08( f ) Comment): If tworunners are touched by the same fair ball, only the first one isout because the ball is instantly dead.If a runner is touched by an Infield Fly when he is nottouching his base, both the runner and batter are out.(8) He attempts to score on a play in which the batter interfereswith the play at home base before two are out. With twoout, the interference puts the batter out and no score counts;(9) He passes a preceding runner before such runner is out;(10) After he has acquired legal possession of a base, he runsthe bases in reverse order for the purpose of confusing thedefense or making a travesty of the game. The umpireshall immediately call “Time” and declare the runner out;Rule 5.09(b)(10) Comment (Rule 7.08(i) Comment): If a runnertouches an unoccupied base and then thinks the ball wascaught or is decoyed into returning to the base he last touched,he may be put out running back to that base, but if he reachesthe previously occupied base safely he cannot be put out whilein contact with that base.(11) He fails to return at once to first base after overrunning oroversliding that base. If he attempts to run to second he isout when tagged. If, after overrunning or oversliding firstbase he starts toward the dugout, or toward his position,and fails to return to first base at once, he is out, onappeal, when he or the base is tagged;46