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Mike,
It's hard to have a real lively debate when we agree, so I'm picking on some picayune issues.
I agree the call could be sold either way, and would probably be protest proof given adequate explanation at the time.
However, the umpire still needs to decide who this player is, so he can apply the "correct" (in his mind, anyway) rule.
I can see batter out of the box (rule 7-6O) as being analogous. I think maybe you brought up this first in the thread below. This is the rule I favor, since it allows the catcher's opportunity to make a play to have some protection without requiring intent.
I can also see retired runner (rule 8-8P) as being analogous, especially since this rule makes mention of the retired batter running to 1B. One could then assume that the retired batter running to 1B is a special case of retired runner.
The material difference between using 7-6O vs 8-8P is that for 7-6O intent is not required if the player gets tangled up with the catcher, whereas 8-8P requires intent even for getting in the way of a defensive player's opportunity to make a play on another runner.
Since the former batter is "engaged in the game" at the start of the play, I don't see using the blocked ball or the on-deck batter rules.
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