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That's my point.
I agree it's dead ("so I would say that is dead (intent to protect the fielder's right to the ball)"), but the rule wording apparently relates the fielder's position to the base instead of the ball/runner contact point.
The rule wording doesn't cover the fielder being "even" with the base, and when we rule dead or live based on the ball passing the fielder, there probably will be arguments caused by the rule wording. It would be better if the rule wording used the ball-fielder relationship for the limitation, like the rule for being hit when off the base. Different effect, but the same limitation wording could be used.
Also, the rule wording is not clear about whether "closest fielder" means closest to the base or closest to the ball/runner.
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