Unusual Situation

Question
This is the situation: The bases are loaded with two outs. The batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman, who instead of just tagging third base for the third out, instead tags the runner coming at him from second base. It is still the third out, but the runner from third base touched home before the runner from second was tagged out. The umpire ruled that the run counted, because the third baseman tagged the runner and not the bag. Is this the correct call? Shouldn't the run not count because even though the third out was made on a tag play, there was a force on the runner who was tagged? I read through the official rules, and there is no mention of this specific situation.

Answer
Hi Ben:

Thanks for your question.  The umpire got it right!  It doesn't matter whether or not the third out could have been a force play, it's that the play that was made was a tag play that makes the difference.

If the third out of an inning is made on a force play, no runs can score on that play.  However, if the third out of an inning is made on a "tag" play, then only runs which cross home plate before the tag is applied count.  Note that runs stop counting once the tag is applied, not when the umpire makes the call.  Hopefully, there is at least two umpires, and the plate umpire can watch carefully for the tag and for the runner crossing home to determine whether or not the run scores.

I hope this answers your question, enjoy the rest of your season!

Cheers,
Gareth