[pmac]

The question here is twofold:

1. Is the person authorized to be in the playing area?

2. Was the interference intentional or unintentional?

1. rule 3.15 defines authorized persons as being "No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except players and coaches in uniform, managers, news photographers authorized by the home team, umpires, officers of the law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of the home club."

In this case, the on-deck batter is authorized to be on the field

2: Rule 3.15 goes on to define and give direction - "In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the offensive team participating in the game (this means active players on the basepaths, who are covered by 7.08b), or a coach in the coach’s box, or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference. " The commentary goes on to give examples of unintentional interference. In a nutshell, if the individual involved tries to avoid the ball or defensive player, the ball is live and the play stands. If (and this is where your email comes in) the player picks up the ball, it is intentional interference, the ball is dead, and the umpire "shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference".

Given the situation presented, I would have called time immediately as the on-deck player picked up the ball, and determined where the offensive players were. If R2 has crossed the plate, the run stands. If BR is returning directly to 1st base, I'd place him there. If he'd turned towards second (not simply turned around to his left), he's out. If R2 has not crossed home plate, he's returning to third, and Offensive Manager will be told to talk with his player whose bonehead play caused him to lose a run (for the moment).