run scores before ball hits runner

[greymule]

This play from the ASA case book relates to whiskers' recent thread "You make the call."

8.8-41

R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B with one out in bottom of seventh. B3 hits the ball to F4. R2 is hit with the ball while off 1B in front of F4 before B3 crosses the plate.

Ruling: The ball is dead when it hits R2 and R2 is out. Place R1 back on 3B and B on 1B. (8-8J; 8-7C)

The implication is that if B3 crossed the plate before the ball hit R2, then the run would score. Before I read this, I would have returned the runners to where they were at the time of the pitch.

But this case book play is more evidence that ASA emphasizes where the runners are at the time that interference occurs.