Softball Force Play: Home Plate Tag & Out Rules Explained

Question
Bases loaded.  Batter bunts.  Catcher fields ball in front of home plate.  Has ball securely in glove hand.  Stretches and touches home plate with non-glove hand.  Is the batter out?

Answer
Hello Mary

The baserunner that was on third base is out. It's a force play when a base runner is put out because it was necessary for her to advance to another base.

The rules states "When, on a force play, a fielder contacts the base while holding the ball before the runner, the runner is out".

You can tag a base with ANY part of the body.