Tie goes to the runner

A close play at first base

Tie goes to the runner is a popular and inaccurate interpretation of baseball rules. The claim is that a forced runner, usually the batter-runner, who arrives on base the same time as the ball is safe. However, umpires generally reject the concept that baseball provides for a tie in this way, and instead rule on the basis that either the player or the ball has reached the base first.^[1][2]

The wording of rule 5.09(a)(10), formerly 6.05(j), of the Official Baseball Rules is that a batter is out when "After a third strike or after he hits a fair ball, he or first base is tagged before he touches first base".^[3] Therefore, if the runner or first base is not tagged before he touches first base, he is safe.

In response to a question from a Little League umpire, Major League Baseball umpire Tim McClelland has written that the concept of a tie at a base does not exist, and that a runner either beats the ball or does not.^[1] In 2009, umpire Mark Dewdeny, a contributor for Bleacher Report, citing McClelland, also rejected the idea of a tie, and further commented that even if a "physicist couldn't make an argument one way or the other" from watching an instant replay, the runner would still be out.^[2]

References

1. McClelland, Tim. "Ask the Umpire". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 28, 2016. There are no ties and there is no rule that says the tie goes to the runner. But the rule book does say that the runner must beat the ball to first base, and so if he doesn't beat the ball, then he is out. ... The only thing you can do is go by whether or not he beat the ball. If he did, then he is safe.
2. Dewendy, Mark (Jul 27, 2009). ""COME ON, BLUE: TIE GOES TO THE RUNNER!" No, It Does Not". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved October 28, 2016. NO. It does NOT. Not EVER. ... There's no such thing as a "tie" in baseball. ... DEAD EVEN. A physicist couldn't make an argument one way or the other. BLAM. "HE'S STILL OUT!" ... Gotta get there before the ball, Sparky, or you can just keep on running.
3. 5.09 Making an Out (PDF). Official Baseball Rules (2016 ed.). Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. 2016. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-9961140-2-8. Retrieved October 28, 2016.