Media Hit by thrown ball

[WindyCityBlue]

High School Playoff time in Illinois...
During the third inning, the bases are loaded, the runners are off on the pitch and the batter nubs one between the mound and third. Realizing that he doesnÂ’t have a play at the plate, the third baseman fires one to first and it sails over his head and into a photographer and his equipment. He scrambles to get his gear out of the way but slows the player down in recovering the ball. The runners from second and third scored and the batter/runner went to second. The defensive coach argued that the photographer shouldnÂ’t be on the field of play, since there was no designated media area established at the pregame meeting.
He insists that the ball should have been declared dead immediately because of fan interference. The offensive coach argued that he is obviously not a “fan” and that the ball is played like if it bounced off of a base coach. He insists that it is live and that runners advance at their own risk. The game was delayed for almost five minutes while the decision was made.

The crew decided that the ball was dead upon touching the “spectator”. They penalized from the time of the throw, giving everyone one base from where they were at the tie of the throw. The offensive coach went crazy when one of his runs was put back on third. He was restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game, but his team went on to win.

Thank God, I was watching this game and not working it. What would you have done?