Does the run score?

One of the topics that I receive far too many questions on is if runs are to be scored or not scored. Understanding of the requirements for scoring / not scoring runs is imperative to umpires at all levels of play. There are a few basic conditions for scoring or not scoring runs that are detailed below.

Rule 2.O: A RUN (or SCORE) is the score made by an offensive player who advances from batter to runner and touches first, second, third and home bases in that order.

Though this says nothing about if a run should be properly scored, it does define the run itself. The scoring of runs is addressed in OBR rules 4.09(a A.R.), 7.04(b) Comment, 7.08(c) Comment, 7.08(j) Comment, 7.12. Runs that do not score are addressed in rules 4.09(a. Exceptions, b), 4.09 Comment, 7.12.
A trickier example is bases loaded, 2 out. The batter hits a home run but fails to touch first base. After all runner have circled the bases, the defense properly appeals at first. All runs are nullified (no runs score) since the batter-runner is out at first and did not reach first safely.
Keep in mind that if a runner misses a base to which he is forced with 2 out and the defense properly appeals, no run can score regardless of any action that takes place after the missed base. Also, a force play occurs only when runners have to advance because the batter becomes a runner.

The problem to be addressed here is understanding whether a run should score when 2 are out. There are three basic tenants to the run being legitimately scored or not scored to keep in mind, which are required for all umpires to understand.

First: No run can score when the third out is made by the batter-runner not reaching first base safely. If a base runner on third crosses the plate with two out before the batter-runner is put out on a ground out or a fly out, the run does not score. Similarly, with runners on first and third, if the runner on third scores before a conventional double play (i.e. 6-4-3) is completed, the run does not score.

Second:  If the third out is recorded on a force play, no run can score. For example, runners on first and third, 2 out. A slow roller is hit to the third baseman who charges and throws home, but the tag is not made before the runner crosses the plate. The runner from first had stumbled and fallen before touching second. The batter-runner has reached first base. The catcher then throws to the second baseman who tags the runner for the 3rd out before he reaches second. Though this is a tag play, the runner from first is still forced to second, hence the run does not score.

Third: There can never be a force play when a fly ball is caught. Here is an example that is often called incorrectly. With runners on first and third with one out, the batter hits a fly ball to the outfield that is caught. The runner on third legally tags and scores, but the runner on first goes half-way and fails to tag. The outfielder throws to first and the throw beats the runner attempting to return to first. The run from third counts, since this is a time play and the run scored before the 3rd out was made at first. When the ball was caught in the outfield, the runner on first is not forced to second, but is free to return to the base. Since a tag at first is not required (the ball must only beat the runner to the bag and be in legal possession of a defensive player), many umpires incorrectly interpret this as a force play and do not score the run.

A time play is a play where if the runner crosses the plate before the 3rd out is made, the run scores. A common example is runner on second, 2 outs. The batter hits a ball in the gap but is thrown out at second. If the run crosses the plate prior to the 3rd out, it counts. The batter-runner safely reached first and there is no force out.

One last point, if the play resulting in the 3rd out does not involve a batted ball, any run that crosses the plate before the out is recorded counts. For example, runners on first and third, 2 outs. The batter on first takes off for second on the pitch and is caught in a run down. If the runner from third scores before the out is recorded, it counts.