NCAA Rules Help

[NSABlue]

I was watching an NCAA D-III Conference tournament this weekend. Had this happen and I was wondering if the crew made a correct ruling. Runner on 1st,
two out. Batter hits a slow roller that F6 fields and trys to do a backhand toss to F4 at 2nd but does not connect, runner safe. As soon as the play has stopped the BU yells over to the offensive coach that the batter-runner must not take her helmet off during a live ball. He yells it so everyone can hear. The B-R had purposely flipped her helmet off when she started running to 1st. The defensive coach comes out and says that the batter runner should be called out for removing her helmet. (it did not just fall off). After confering, the umpire calls the BR Out for removing her helmet during playing action. Is this correct?

[greymule]

From the 2006 NCAA book: "Deliberately wearing the helmet improperly or intentionally removing the helmet while the ball is live shall result in the player being called out but shall not remove a force play."

The book doesn't say anything about use of discretion on the part of umpires, but I would do so.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Rule 3-8.a EFFECT. "Deliberately wearing the helmet improperly or intentionally removing the helmet while the ball is live shall result in the player being declared out but shall not remove a force play."

Correct ruling.

[NSABlue]

Thank You, gentlemen.