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Originally Posted by CoachJM
IMHO, the ruling most consistent with the spirit, intent, official interpretations, and authoritative opinions of the rules is to return the proper batter to the plate with the count he had at the time of the balk and nullify any intervening action.
JM
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For some of the reasons set forth in my prior post, I don't think your analysis and proposed result (putting R1 back at-bat and eliminating the two pitches thrown) comports with the spirit and intent of the rules to put the onus on the defense to "properly" appeal and/or protest, or forever suffer the consequences.
My understanding is that the rules drafters did not like appeals and protests, but realized they were needed. As sort of a compromise between these two positions they required that appeals and protests be made/lodged "correctly", and they clearly put the onus on the "injured" team to do so. Here, the defense missed its chance...I would suggest that the spirit of the rules would suggest that they now must live with those consequences.
(Part of me however does believe that this result should, maybe, be different for 9 and 10 year olds than for Professionals.)