overthrow on runner returning to a base

Question
QUESTION: ASA mens slow pitch Softball, Ball is batted to shallow right field, the runner on 1st leaves the bag on contact, a fast charging right fielder catches the ball on the fly and throws to the 1st baseman, the ball goes into the dugout and is ruled a dead ball!

Question 1 Had the 1st baseman caught the ball in contact with the bag before the runner tagged up is it a force out situation?

Question 2 How many bases is the runner awarded on the overthrow since he was on his way back to 1st base?

Question 3 Does the runner actually have to tag 1st base in order to proceed to awarded base(s}

ANSWER: Hi Terry,

fairly common situation

1) no it is NOT considered a "force out" but rather it is considered a "timing play" of an appeal of a base left too early.  With 2 outs all runs scored in advance of the appeal (3rd out) would count.

2)the runner is always awarded in ASA 2 bases from the last base touched at the time of the throw.  In this case the runner would be awarded 3rd.  Direction of the runner in ASA has no consideration in what the award is

3) Yes they must legally re-touch 1st and then take the award.  if they do not they could be called out on appeal.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So you are saying it is not a force situation, and the runner must be tagged out returning to 1st?

Answer
Hi terry,

yes it is not a "force out".....but that has nothing to do with how to get the out.  Don't get hung up that every throw and catch at a base before a runner gets there is a "force out" sometimes they are not and this is 1 case.

While a tag is ok, simply defensive possession of the ball while in contact w/ the bag before the runner returns is fine for "a live ball appeal of a base left to early" and the out.


mark