Interesting play............

[WestMichBlue]

You either have No Call, or you call Interference. If no call, then you allow the play to stand. If interference, then someone must be called out. There is no rules support for just sending runners back.

To make a no call, IMO, you have to see the end of the play and judge that the player's action was not detramental to the game. I don't buy that; I think you have to call interference.

At the instant the bat touched the ball, you had a pitcher attempting to retrieve the ball; you have runners advancing; it is logical to assume that the pitcher was attempting to get a runner out. At the instant the ball is touched, you have Dead Ball - and it doesn't matter where the ball goes after that.

USSSA rules support: 8-18H - "Being put out is prevented by an illegal act by anyone connected with the team." Note 2: "If a retired runner interferes and, in the judgment of the Umpire, another runner could have been put out, the Umpire shall declare the runner closest to home out."

WMB