Runner Hit In Foul Territory - Deflects Inbounds
 

Any help with this ruling would be appreciated

Runner on 3rd base. Batter hits solid ball just foul down third base line - one hopper right into stomach of runner coming from 3rd.

Runner was about 2 steps off third base, but was in foul territory.

There was no indication runner was out of baseline or that runner was interfering with play in anyway.

Ball hits runner in foul territory and deflects back into field of play (all in front of 3rd base bag).

Official call was dead ball foul and runner returned to third.

How should this play have been ruled? Offical rules only really state that runner is out if hit in fair play other than obvious interference if foul. Cannot find anyting stating whether or not ball bouncing off runner back into field in front of 3B bag results in play becoming live.

many thanks

Foul Ball
 

(from MLB.com, italics added)

Actually, a literal reading of the rule could be wrong, but on a ball that hasn't passed 1B or 3B, hitting any player in foul territory causes it to be foul. Foul balls never become live again.

that is why coaches teach player to lead-off in foul territory. The ruling on the field was correct. Dead-ball, foul ball, runner returns

Yep, that's why they say "down in foul, back in fair"

This explains only the "down in foul" half. The "back in fair" half blocks a snap throw from F2.

well you cant just give the catcher a free look at the 3rd baseman