Batter Interference
 

Two out, R1 and R2.

Dropped third strike. Batter making no real attempt to go to first accidentally hits ball with bat (it was hanging at his side) as he is starting towards his dugout.

Partner ignored the contact, said it was incidental.

Correct?

Then, let's assume he was trying to advance and again accidentally, with the bat, hits the ball. What is the ruling?

NFHS 8-4-1a, the interference has to be intentional outside of the box. Not true for inside of the box though, it is declared dead and the batter is out. A somewhat similar situation was discussed just recently in the thread "Strange Happenings" I posted.

If it was deemed not deliberate in either case the runner would have to be tagged or throw out at first, unless he abandoned his attempt.