Force Out vs. Tag Out in Baseball: 15 Plays Explained

by

A force out happens when a runner has to advance and the fielder touches the base first; a tag out happens when a runner is not forced and the fielder must touch the runner with the ball. A runner is forced only when the batter becoming a runner takes away the base he is on. The chart below walks through 15 common plays, including the tricky ones where a force is removed partway through.

Force out or tag out?
15 common plays and how the out is made
A runner is forced only when the batter becoming a runner takes away the base he is standing on.
Force: touch the baseTag: touch the runnerBoth on one playNeither
1
Batter hits a ground ballBeating the batter to first works like a force: the fielder only has to touch the bag before he gets there.
FORCE
2
Runner on first, ground ballThe runner on first is forced to second, so a throw to second is a force out.
FORCE
3
Runners on first and second, ground ballBoth runners are forced, so there are force plays at second, third and first.
FORCE
4
Bases loaded, ground ballEvery runner is forced, including at home plate. A catcher can step on home for the out.
FORCE
5
Runner on second only, ground ballFirst base is open behind him, so he is not forced. He must be tagged at third.
TAG
6
Runner on third only, ground ballNot forced. A play at the plate requires a tag.
TAG
7
Runners on first and third, ground ballForce at second and first, but the runner on third is not forced and must be tagged.
BOTH
8
Runner stealing a baseNo one forces a steal. The fielder must tag the runner before he reaches the bag.
TAG
9
Runner rounding or overrunning a baseOnce off the base and not forced, he is out only if tagged.
TAG
10
First baseman steps on first, then throws to secondRetiring the batter first removes the force. The runner going to second must now be tagged.
TAG
11
Forced runner overslides second baseTouching second ends the force. If he slides past the bag, he must be tagged.
TAG
12
Fly ball caught, runner left too earlyThe runner is put out by touching the base he left before he gets back, an appeal play, not a force.
NEITHER
13
Infield fly is calledThe batter is out automatically, so runners are not forced. Any out on them needs a tag.
TAG
14
Batter walks with the bases loadedRunners are forced to advance, but they are awarded the base, so no out is possible.
NEITHER
15
Third out made on a force playNo run can score on the play, even if a runner crossed home before the out.
FORCE
Based on the Official Baseball Rules definition of a force play and Rule 5.09. Youth leagues follow the same force and tag rules.

Force Out vs. Tag Out at a Glance

Force out Tag out
How the out is made Fielder with the ball touches the base Fielder touches the runner with the ball or the glove holding it
When it applies Runner must advance because the batter became a runner Runner is not forced, or the force has been removed
Can a run score on the third out? No Yes, if the runner crosses home before the tag
Common examples Ground ball to second on a double play Steals, plays at the plate, rundowns

The Rule That Trips People Up

A force can disappear during a play. If the first baseman takes the throw at first for the out and then throws to second, the runner heading to second is no longer forced, because the batter who was forcing him is already out. The fielder at second now has to tag him. That is why most double plays go second base first, then first base: the force is still on at second.

Why It Matters for Scoring Runs

When the third out of an inning is a force out, or the batter is retired before reaching first, no run scores on that play, even if a runner touched home before the out. On a tag out, a run counts if the runner crossed the plate before the tag was made. It is one of the few timing plays in baseball, and umpires watch home plate and the tag at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tag a runner on a force play?

Yes. Tagging a forced runner before he reaches the base also gets him out, but stepping on the base is usually faster.

Is a play at home plate a force out?

Only with the bases loaded. Otherwise the catcher has to tag the runner.

Is the batter at first base a force out?

It works the same way. The fielder only needs to touch first before the batter does, and no run can score if it is the third out.

Related

Who bats first in baseball · Is there overtime in baseball · What is a good batting average

The official definitions are in MLB’s rules glossary and the Little League playing rules.