Is this illegeal batting?

[Middleman]

Under Federation rules, all of these acts are illegal batting. They are all loose-ball plays. Acceptance of the penalty by K would result in a rekick* following enforcement of the 15-yard penalty from the previous spot.

Declining the penalty would result in: 1, 1b) A new series awarded to R at the inbounds spot; 2) Touchback. Illegal batting does not add a new force to a kick entering R's end zone.

*If this was a free-kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch, K may elect to put the ball in play by snap or free-kick.