Batter swings and misses, third strike in the dirt, ball carooms off the catcher up the 1st base line, as the batter breaks for first the ball lands right on his foot (actually came through his legs from behind) and gets booted towards the 1st base dugout, my partner rings the BR out for "touching" the ball, with, to my surprise, no complaint from the Offensive coach. In my judgement this was inadvertant contact with the ball and the play should have "played on". Is the HS rule for contact by the batter with a dropped 3rd strike different from the OBR? I had a similar play a couple weeks ago, in which the ball simply popped up off the catcher and hit the runner as he was leaving the box, the throw to first by the catcher sailed out to right allowing the runner to make 2nd. The defensive coach in the ensuing discussion "was adamant", the BR was out for "coming in contact" with the ball, as my partner and I discussed the call he too was under the impression that the BR should be out for coming in contact with the ball. I was the UIC and wouldn't bend, allowed the play to stand. Am I off base: seems these parties are ruling this the same as a batted ball. Wanting to get it right.
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