[shaefner]

First post for me.
A fellow official came up with this scenario for a pregame during the ride to a game.
Free kick; R muffs at his 5 yardline. Try as he might he just can't get possesion. As K is bearing down on him, he comes to the realization that he will not be able to pick it up so he bats it backward through his own endzone.
Flag for illegal batting, but what is the result of the play?
NFHS Rule 2-13 on force has conflicting articles.
2-13-1 says "After a fumble, kick, or backward pass has been grounded, a new force may result from a bat, an illegal kick or a muff."
2-13-4 says "Force is not a factor: a. On kicks going into r's endzone, since these kicks are always a touchback regardless of who supplied the force."
Example 9-40 in The Redding study guide gives essentially the same scenario and comes to the conclusion that it's a touchback because "force is never a factor on a kick going into r's endzone."
While it is true the kick has not ended, why have 2-13-1 in the rules at all? That one clearly states a new force may be applied.
My fellow official is going with a touchback, I'm going with safety.
What say all of you?