47 or holding the runner, physically assists that runner in returning to or leaving third base or first base. (j) With a runner on third base, the base coach leaves the box and acts in any manner to draw a throw by a fielder. (k) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base while the ball is being fielded to first base, the batter-runner runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and, in the umpire’s judgment, interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base or attempting to field a batted ball; (l) The runner fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intention- ally interferes with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball; (m) A fair ball touches the batter or runner in fair territory before touching a fielder. If a fair ball goes through or by an infielder and touches a runner immediately back of said infielder or touches the runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball. In making such a decision, the umpire must be convinced that the ball passed through or by the infielder and that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball. If in the judgment of the umpire, the runner deliberately and intentionally kicks such a batted ball on which the infielder had missed a play, then the runner shall be called out for interference. INTERFERENCE PENALTY: The runner is out, and the ball is dead. 7.10–Appeals–Any runner shall be called out on appeal, when— (a) After a fly ball is caught, the runner fails to retouch the base before said runner or base is tagged. (b) With the ball in play, the runner, while advancing or returning to a base, fails to touch each base in order before the said runner or base is tagged. APPROVED RULING: (1) No runner may return to touch a missed base after the following runner has scored. (2) When the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base, or one abandoned after said runner has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base. (c) The runner overruns or over slides first base and fails to return to the base immediately, and said runner or the base is tagged; or, (d) The runner fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to that base, and home base is tagged. APPEAL PROCEDURE: Any appeal under this rule must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play. An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play; If the base running violation occurs during a play which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before the defensive team leaves the field. (The defensive team has left field when no players remain in fair territory). (1) A time out may be granted either team before an appeal play is made. If the defensive team makes an appeal during a time out, the umpire shall instruct the team to put the ball in play and make the appeal again. (2) The appeal shall be made while the ball is alive (in play), and runners are free to advance while the appeal is being made. When the ball is dead, it becomes alive again
