With bases loaded, the batter hits a high pop fly that is easily catchable, but the ball hits the runner standing on second base. What is the ruling?

• A. The ball remains in play and no outs are yet declared.
• B. The ball is dead and both the batter and the runner at second are out.
• C. The ball is dead and the batter is out.
• D. The ball is dead and only the runner is out.

Answer: (C)

When a batted ball is in flight and a baserunner touches or is touched by the ball, play is immediately dead and the batter is out for interference. The ball cannot be live if a runner interferes, so the usual catch or putout possibility is negated. In this scenario, the pop fly would normally be caught for an out, but the ball hitting the runner on second creates interference, ending the play with the batter out. The runner on second is not credited with an out, and no other outs are recorded on that pitch. This is why the correct ruling is that the ball is dead and the batter is out.