On-deck circle interference .... who's out ??

[bobbrix]

Scenario:
Runner on third.

Batter hits line drive and it's heading foul, straight at the on-deck player, who doesn't know it's coming.

Ball hits on-deck player, so interference, and ball stops on foul side (although I doubt that matters at this point).


I believe the rule states that the "runner" closest to the interference is called out.

Two questions:

a) At our recertification clinic this year, the clinician told us we would call the on-deck player out.

Anyone heard of this rule ??


b) While on the topic, what if there's no runners on base and the on-deck batter gets hit ... is the batter out or, again, would the on-deck player be out??


Thanks in advance for any comments/answers/etc.

Regards.