Bizzare play rules question

Question
Hello, hoping you could provide the answer to a play that stumped a few of us at last nights game. First, it's a pitching machine league with most players just out of T-ball, so we're rather lax with our applications of the rules. We concentrate more on the mechanics of the game at this point.

Scenario is this: 1 out, nobody on base, batter hits a ground ball between 1st and 2nd base. The first baseman goes to the bag and waits for the throw. (he should have probably fielded the ball instead, but he didn't) Second baseman gets the ball, and instead of tossing it to first, he runs over and attempts to put his foot on the bag. Instead, he puts his foot squarely on top of the first baseman! Runner comes through and tags the bag moments afterwards. I'm standing directly at first base (coaching) and call the runner safe as the fielder with the ball did not touch the bag. The other coach calls him out saying that it makes no difference that the first basemans foot was underneath.

We ended up conceding and did call the player out (really doesn't matter anyways!) but afterwards entertained a discussion about the play. I argued that by using the other coaches logic, theoretically the second baseman could have just grabbed the first basemans hand an the player would be out. Brings up a funny mental image of the entire team holding hands to tag a runner out! :)

Comments / thoughts on the correct ruling would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Bob

Answer
I have to chuckle at the vision of this play unfolding...lol.  Well, this is one of those "how technical do you want to get plays."

Rule 2 in all league clearly says that the fielder, w/ possession of the ball, must tag the runner or the base in order to record a put out.  However, after 40 years of umpiring from t-ballers to NCAA D1 college & even through AAA baseball, I am going to call the batter runner out on this one also because of the intent of the rule.

Now holding hands is another matter, that's not going to happen.  I am surprised though that nothing was said about possible interference w/ so many players on & around the base.

A great question though, thanks for making my day...

Andy