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IMO, as a matter of priority, the runner closest to home is ruled out prior to base assignments
12.8.7 When, after being declared out or after scoring, a runner interferes with a defensive player’s opportunity to make a play on another runner.
12.8.8 When a coach, while in the coach’s box, intentionally interferes with a thrown ball or interferes with the defensive team’s opportunity to make a play on a runner. Note: If a thrown ball accidentally touches an offensive coach in foul territory, the ball is live and in play.
12.8.9 When the offensive coach near third base runs in the direction of home plate on or near the baseline while a fielder is attempting to make a play on a batted or thrown ball, and draws a throw to home plate.
EFFECT—(12.8.7 to 12.8.9)—The ball is dead. The runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference shall be declared out. Each runner not forced by the batter-runner must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the interference.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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