How is the status of the run affected if a batted ball hits a runner without passing an infielder?

When a batted ball strikes a runner who has not yet passed an infielder, the play is ruled such that the runner is out, and the run does not score. The key aspect of this situation is that the ball must have passed or touched a fielder before it hits the runner for the run to potentially count. Since the runner is hit by the ball before it has passed any fielder, the rules dictate that this results in an out for the runner and nullifies any run they may have scored.

This is grounded in the fundamental principles of baseball regarding interference with the play: interference occurs because the runner has interfered with the natural progression of the batted ball. Because the runner is out at the moment of contact, the run cannot be counted, reinforcing the importance of the sequence of events leading to the determination of runs. In contrast, other options either misinterpret the nature of interference or do not apply relevant rules regarding scoring or positioning on the bases.