What would be your call?

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by ptmac

Have a question from an exam - only OBR, not FED or NCAA.
R3 - 1 out. The batter hits a ground ball that goes down 3rd base line, hits the base and bounces off the base, hitting R3 who is in foul territory before passing or touching an infielder. Is it interference or nothing? OBR references would be nice. BTW, the exam is finished and the deadline for submission has passed, so this is for discussion only, not to help get a better mark.....

There is no difference if a fair batted ball goes into foul territory and strikes a coach, runner, the ball girl, the ball girl's chair, the rolled up tarp, etc, as long as all are in foul territory and are "part" of the game as defined by the rules or ground rules. A ball that strikes the base at third and ricochets into foul ground is fair regardless of the position of the infielders and until it's path is disturbed by someone or something outside of the rules or ground rules, is a live ball.