Runner Hit by Ball

[greymule]

"If no infielder had been in a position to make a play, the ball would remain live, provided the runner did not intentionally allow himself to be hit by the batted ball."

This of course is the troublesome part of Situation 13. Does it mean the runner is still out but the ball remains live? Does it mean that even if a ball has not passed a fielder, if no one has a play on it the runner is not out and play continues? Why the emphasis in Situation 13 on "playing behind second base and in a position to make a catch"? How often is the shortstop actually playing behind second base and in position to catch a line drive that hits a runner on the bag? They are apparently constructing an exception to the general rule. And why the omission of "passes a fielder"?

Devil's Advocate cited exactly what I always believed, so without some further explanation from Fed, I will follow those guidelines. In other words, I will ignore the troublesome part of Situation 13, which to my mind is incompatible with the rule.