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I'm not sure why it would matter that it was inadvertent. When a runner is hit by a batted ball, it need not be deliberate. The problem, as I see it, is that this is not a batted ball, so it's not a "fair ball" either, I guess.
I think this is NCAA also, but in OBR I might try to appeal to 6.06(c) which gets the batter for interfering with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box. I think that rule is not intended for this situation, but rather for interference during steals. But the batter was out of the box, inadvertently kicked the ball, and in doing so interfered with the catcher's fielding. I'm calling dead ball, batter out. (At least I think that's better than the decision made on the field.)
On the other issue, if there is a base award, why isn't it two bases? If the ball had hit first base and bounced into the dugout, the defense would not have put it there. But the award would be two bases, right?
A few years back, I had a similar play. Ground ball in front of plate, pitcher throws to first, ball bounces off F3's glove landing behind the bag. BR, who passed first base, inadvertently kicks the ball down the right field foul line. Here, the BR did not try to advance, although he could have. (I didn't kill the play, but I think the runner thought HE had killed the play. ) At the time I wondered, "Suppose he had inadvertently kicked the ball into the dead ball area? Would I have to award him second (or third!)?" (Second, I guess: First play by an infielder, TOP award, since batter had not reached first at time of throw. And if batter had passed first at TOT, then third! The third base award would be hard to sell.)
Any thoughts on that question?
[Edited by Alan G on Oct 2nd, 2000 at 10:51 PM]
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