help with a base runner hit by batted ball
 

Could someone please explain and idenify the rule(s) that would apply to the following situation?

ASA slow pitch softball. Bases loaded and no outs. BR on 3 is on the base and in fair territory when hit by a line drive. Don't know if it matters but 3B is guarding the line and would have had reasonable attempt at fielding the ball.

Pitcher picked up ball, tagged BR on 3 headed to home and then touched 3b for force.

Ruling on the field was dead ball, no outs, batter to first and all runners advance scoring a run.

Can this be correct?

Section 1. THE BATTER BECOMES A BATTER-RUNNER.

E. When a fair batted ball strikes the person, attached equipment, or clothing of an umpire or a runner.

6. Touches a runner in contact with a base:
EFFECT: The runner is not out. The ball is live or dead depending on the position of the fielder closest to the base.

Section 8. RUNNER IS NOT OUT.

M. When hit by a batted ball while touching the base, unless the runner intentionally
interferes with the ball or a fielder making a play.

A. Runner interference includes:

c) A runner could be standing on a base and a defensive player
bumps the runner while watching the flight of the ball. If the
defensive player fails to make a catch on a ball that could
have been caught, it is the umpire’s judgment whether or not
interference should be called. The rule provides that a runner
must vacate any space needed by a fielder to make a play on
a batted ball, unless the runner has contact with a legally occupied
base when the hindrance occurs. In this case, the runner
should not be called out unless the hindrance is intentional.

44. RUNNER HIT BY A FAIR BATTED BALL.
A. While in Contact With the Base. A runner who is hit by a fair batted ball
while in contact with the base should not be called out unless the act is
intentional. The ball remains live, or becomes immediately dead, depending
on the closest defensive player. When the closest defensive player
is in front of the base that the runner is in contact with, the ball remains
live. However, when the closest defensive player is behind the base, the
ball is dead. Should the ball be ruled dead and the batter awarded a
base hit, only runners forced to advance because the batter was placed
on first base shall advance one base.

Paul

To sum up what Paul posted and to answer your question, yes.

For clarity, BR stands for batter-runner, one who has completed their time at bat but has yet to attain first. In your scenario, it would be put like this, R1 on third, R2 on second, R3 on first. R1 is hit by a line drive while on the base.....etc.

Thanks for all the help - glad our guy got it right - still a little hard to believe.

Follow-up - what if in all the confussion and "discussion' R1 on third never actually went to home and touched it and ended up in the dugout?

Then he would be suject to dead ball apeal for not touching home. All base must be touched on awarded bases.
If appealed correctly you have an out on R1

Dale