Two outs, R1 at 3rd and the batter is pitched ball 4 which rolls to the backstop. BR drops bat and heads to first. F2 retrieves ball and fires to F5 as R1 returns to 3rd. In the meantime, the on deck batter runs out and enters the batters box. R1 breaks for home and F5 throws to F2 who runs into the on deck batter while trying to catch the ball. Balls rolls to the backstop and R1 crosses plate. PU called on deck hitter who had entered the batter's box out for interference. Correct call?

I'm sure you had to be there but it sounds like interference to me. Next batter has no business being in the batters box when the runner is trying to advance from third.

This is handled the same in all codes. The on-deck batter should not be in the area of live action. See for example FED rule 3-2-3:
"ART. 3 . . . No offensive team personnel, other than the base coach, shall be near a base for which a runner is trying so that a fielder may be confused; nor be on or near the baseline in such a way as to draw a throw; nor shall the base coach or members of the team at bat fail to vacate any area needed by a fielder in his attempt to put out a batter or runner.
......
PENALTY: The ball is dead immediately and the runner is out. The batter-runner or runner may be out as in 7-3-5 and 8-4-2g. Other runners return as in 8-2-8."

In this case the runner trying to score (the runner being played on) is out, and all other runners return, except the B/R is awarded first and forced runners advance. The on-deck batter is not out.

quote:

Originally posted by tojake: PU called on deck hitter who had entered the batter's box out for interference. Correct call?

No. There is no basis in the rules for calling the on-deck batter out. The runner would out on the interference.

I agree with the ruling you've stated, i.e., runner should have been called out in this situation because the on deck hitter was not yet the batter, just an offensive player who got in the way. But I recall that if this had been the batter causing the interference, the player who is called out depends on how many outs there are at the time. Can someone summarize that ruling for me, or tell me I'm nuts and that the runner is always the one called out when the batter interferes? Won't be offended as you won't be the first

If a runner trying to score from 3rd is put out, or if any runner trying to advance is put out (there are slight variations between codes here), the interference is ignored and the ball stays live.

If a runner is trying to score from 3rd (and the catcher does not put him out), and there are less than 2 out, the ball is dead, that runner is out, other runners return, and the batter stays at bat (unless he is out on strikes). If there are 2 out, the batter is out (no run scores, obviously).

If an attempt to put out a runner at any other base is unsuccessful, the ball is dead, the batter is out, runners return.

If the batter strikes out and interferes, the ball is dead, batter is out on strikes and a runner is out (generally umpire judgment as to which), other runners return.