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Your post just beat mine, MC, but I think we see it the same way (see dodgeball II)
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"If we are to treat a throw that hits the on-deck batter as a blocked ball,"
Not IF, but WHY. Why are we considering calling this a blocked ball when the rule doesn't support it? Can someone provide an official document or interpretation that overrides the printed rule?
Definition: A Blocked Ball is a ..... thrown ball that is touched . . . . . by a person not engaged in the game. . . . .
It is obvious whom that applies to: spectator, media, trainer, ground crew, etc. It is equally obvious who it does not apply to: PLAYERS, coaches, umpires.
So if blocked ball is out, that only leaves us with interference. As far as 7.1.E, I think that is a natural follow-up to 7.1.D which allowed the on-deck batter to leave the circle and take a position of her choosing - just don't get in the way! If you interfere with a defender and we will call a runner out.
However - to suggest that an on-deck batter that is beaned by a bad throw can be charged with interference simply because a runner is running somewhere, and a defender sometime in the future will go the backstop and pick up a ball to make an out as some as-of-yet unknown base - is ludicrous IMO.
Come in Tom - time to introduce Dakotas DodgeBall II rules.
#1 - don't throw to catcher, she might drop the ball.
#2 o-d batter is easier target; she probably is not even looking. Bean her and the runner going home is out.
If it happens to me, I will make a decision based on where the o-d batter is located. If she prevented the ball from reaching its intended target, then Interference. If she is merely an innocent bystander, then live ball, play on. Defense gets no rewards for making a bad throw.
WMB
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