Originally Posted by dash_riprock:
No need for an apology. Thanks for a great question! It is important to know the definition of a force, especially when there is a retouch appeal, i.e. doubling-up a runner who was off his base when a fly ball was caught (which many think is a force play because either the base or the runner can be tagged for an out).
Here's a quiz for you:
R1, R2 one out. The batter homers. R1 misses 2nd and the B/R misses 1st. Does the order of appeals matter?
These brainteasers are one of the reasons I got into umping in the first place, believe it or not. So, by extension of the original situation, my answer would be YES, the order does matter. Here is the thought process.
If 2nd base is appealed first, then first base for the third out, no runs score as the B/R never reached first base. If the miss at first base is appealed first, then the force on R1 is removed, and while the appeal at second is the third out, it is not a force out so R2's run counts. It would be the same if B/R passes R1 (he is declared out and the force is removed) and then R1 misses second. R1 would be out on appeal, but R2's run counts.
So, the next puzzler is this. Are runners obligated to take all the bases that they are awarded? Granted this would never happen, but R1 on first, batter hits HR, and R1 stops at second, forcing B/R to stop at first. Is there any rule prohibiting them from remaining there? (This could probably fall under the rule that the umpire would use his judgement should there be no rule covering a specific situation).