Leaning over the plate

[Rufus]

I guess I'm confused then. 7-3-5a says:

A batter shall not interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate.

If the pitcher has to go through the batter to deliver a pitch doesn't that interfere with it (i.e, if the catcher can't field the pitch, isn't that interference)?

Also, this is 12U not MLB. I'm not comfortable instructing a pitcher to make brush back pitches (or purpose pitches). While control is better at 12 it's not that great yet, even at travel ball.

Different/follow-on question - If a batter is struck by a ball while leaning over the plate is that a hit-by-pitch or strike? Seems to me the responsibility for the contact is on the batter in that case, but now I'm not sure.