In baseball does a tie go to the runner?

Answer 1

Essentially, yes, the tie goes to the runner.

However, there is no rule that states that a tie goes to the runner, in those exact words. The portion of the rule in section 6.05 that applies to this states, "A batter is out when after he hits a fair ball, he or first base is tagged before he touches first base." Since the rule states "before", it is assumed that a tie does in fact go to the runner. But since this is a judgment call you won't win an argument by yelling "a tie goes to the runner."

Answer 2

No - this is a "Sandlot" rule. In pickup games, with no umpire, you just say on a close play, the call goes to the runner. In real life, the umpire has to make the call based on how he sees it.