Force Out vs Tag Out in Fastpitch Softball
A force out is when a runner has to move up because the batter became a runner, so a fielder just touches the base before she arrives, no tag. If she isn't forced, the fielder has to tag her with the ball, and a force can also disappear during the play.
When it comes up
It's any ground ball with runners on, and the defense has to know in a blink: step on a base, or chase her down and tag her? Getting it wrong turns easy outs into everybody safe.
What the call is
It comes down to whether the runner is forced to move.
- A runner's forced when the batter runs and there's no open base behind her.
- On a force, just touch the base with the ball before she arrives, no tag.
- Not forced, she owns her base: tag her off it, ball in hand or glove.
- The force is removed when a trailing runner is put out: retire the batter-runner at first, and every runner ahead of her must now be tagged.
Why the rule exists
The force is a fair trade for a runner obligated to move: with no choice but to vacate, the defense just touches the base; when she isn't obligated, she keeps her base and must be tagged. So the read is quick: if she has to run, step on the base; if not, tag her.
How it changes by age
Force outs and tag outs work the same at every age, so younger players just need reps to read whether a runner is forced before they decide where to throw.
Test yourself
Runner on first, ground ball to the shortstop. She flips to the second baseman covering the bag. Does the second baseman have to tag the runner, or just touch the base?
Show the call
Just touch the base.
With a runner on first and the batter now running, the runner is forced to second, so touching the base before she arrives is the out.