Plays made at first base.

Question
I was wondering about the issue of the tie going to the runner for a play at first base. I was taught that the runner has to beat the throw out in order to be safe. Therefore, the tie goes to the fielder for an out. In other words, it's not the fielder's job to beat the runner to first, but to make the play. Can you let me know what the ruling is officially. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi David,

ASA 8-7-c the runner is out when on a force play the fielder contacts the base while holding the ball or tags the runner BEFORE (my emphasis) the runner reaches the base.

Just as a talking point if the ball and the runner arrive at the same time did the fielder contact the base before the runner did?

That being said, in thousands of calls on a play like this in my umpire's judgment I have never had a "tie" so I've never had to argue that point.

Mark