This could be interesting.

[bluezebra]

I see it now, runner on 2nd 3/2 count ball bouncing in
after slipping, batter swings goes hard to 1B, F2
pondering her options. Now suppose F2 waits on ball
it never reaches plate.
**Once the batter swings, F2, or any fielder, does not have to wait. The ball has been struck at.

Would this fit in the new
category? Or would the batter just be called out since
the ball did not have opportunity to be struck.
**Why would the batter be called out? The ball was struck at. It's an uncaught third strike. The batter has the right to attempt to reach 1B.

Suppose F2 does not wait, jumps up as soon as Batter swings and goes out into field say 3 feet to retrieve ball and try and throw the BR out. Can't have obstruction, batter
had opportunity to swing and did. Now blue is stuck
with making a judgement, "Did the ball or would have
the ball had an opportunity to be struck?"
**NO judgement necessary. THE BATTER STRUCK AT THE BALL!!! Once the batter swings, it's implied that he had the opportunity.

Don't try to read into the rule what isn't there. If F2 jumps out in front of the plate BEFORE the ball reaches the plate, it's catcher's interference. Otherwise it's an uncaught third strike if swung at. If there is no swing, and F2 doesn't go out to get it, it's ball four.

Bob