[greymule]

Remember, the answer from ASA was "b," not "None of the above. The proper ruling is to call the IFR and send everybody back. Ha Ha."

But the IFR is actually irrelevant here. Whether it's called or not, and whether it should have been called or not, the BR still interfered with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. IFR simply makes the BR out. It does not affect ANYTHING else.

Incidentally, a runner continuing to run can be considered interference only if it is an obvious attempt to decoy the defense. The batter continuing to run after IFR is called or a runner who continues toward 3B after being forced out are not such cases.

But if that play ever really happens any umpire would be justified by the rule book in denying any advancement by any runner.

Then the answer should be "b," with a note that says, "However, the umpire should invoke 10-1-L, nullify the run, and send the runners back."

Incidentally, 10-1-L says, "The umpire will not penalize a team for any infraction of a rule when imposing the penalty would be an advantage to the offending team." This means that the umpire has two options: (1) impose the penalty according to the rules, or (2) not impose the penalty. It doesn't say that the umpire has to option to set things right as he sees fit. And in this case, option (2) is clearly impossible. How can the umpire ignore the deliberate collision?