Two runners occupy same base

Question
Hello Mark,

Runners on first and second. Base hit to right center and outfielder throws wildly to home. The ball bounces around at back stop and all three runners attempt to advance. Lead runner decides he won't make it so he stays at third. Second runner, not paying attention while running hard to third and for a few seconds both runners are in contact with third base. Ball still live, as the catcher, now with the ball runs toward third base and tags the lead runner thinking that's the best out. Meanwhile the second runner retreats to second base, no play is made on him and base umpire calls everyone safe. Defensive team appeals to home plate umpire who at first agrees and calls everyone safe.

Now here's the real kicker. I was under impression that right or wrong he cannot change his call, which should be right call anyway...??? Then defensive team continues to plead the case that second runner is automatically out. The two umps confer some more and then change the call, saying second runner is automatically out for making contact with an occupied base.

Answer
Hi Scott,

Tagging R1 is nothing as they are legally entitled to the base.  If R2 was tagged on 3rd base they would be out but in this case they were not.  Just because both R1 and R2 occupied 3rd base for a period of time means nothing.  When R2 retreated back to 2nd base that is legal.

The umpires 1st call was correct, their 2nd call was incorrect as there is no rule to support that.  

An umpire can and we certainly do from time to time change our calls for a number of reasons such as being blocked outed, etc.  The commandment is to "get the call right"  In this case they did not and the call because it is unsupported by the rules could have brought out the "P" word.

Mark