[Welpe]

As in why is that AR a foul? It is because what I said previously only applies to between the goal lines. It is illegal to bat the ball any direction while it is in the end zone.

Here is 9-4-1 in its entirety.

Batting a Loose Ball
ARTICLE 1. a. While a pass is in flight, only a player who is eligible to touch
the ball may bat it in any direction (Exception: Rule 9-4-2).

b. Any player may block a scrimmage kick in the field of play or the end zone.

c. No player shall bat other loose balls forward in the field of play or in any
direction if the ball is in the end zone (Rule 2-2-3-a) (Exception: Rule 6-3-
11) (A.R. 6-3-11-I, A.R. 9-4-1-I-X and A.R. 10-2-2-II).

PENALTY—10 yards and loss of down for fouls by Team A if the loss of down
is not in conflict with other rules [S31 and S9] [Exception: No
loss of down if the foul occurs when a legal scrimmage kick is
beyond the neutral zone].