In the game tonight there was a play at second base where I did not understand the ruling.
Runners on First and Second. Line drive to short. Shortstop leaps for the ball but is only able to knock it down. Runner on second retreats to second. The shortstop throws the ball to the secondbaseman who has one foot on second base who proceeds to tag the runner who originated on second base - and who is now also standing on the bag.
Umpire calls both the runner on first and the runner on second out.
My understanding of the force play rule would suggest that if the fielder tags second base first and then tags the runner the force would be removed and the runner would have to be off the base to be out.
It sure confused the Giants announcers - who went on and on for several innings... but then again, baseball announcers are not known for their rule knowledge.
So what is it that I (and the Giant announcers) are missing?
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