If a runner maliciously runs into a fielder who is not in the baseline, what is the outcome?

In the scenario where a runner deliberately collides with a fielder who is not occupying the baseline, the rules governing player conduct in such situations come into play. When a player acts with malice, as described, it's considered a serious infringement of the rules that govern fair play and sportsmanship.

The correct outcome is that the runner is ejected from the game and declared out. This is because intentionally running into a defensive player, especially when the player is not in the baseline, is viewed as a dangerous act that undermines the integrity of the game. Ejection serves both as a penalty for the runner’s aggressive behavior and as a protective measure to ensure the safety of all players involved.

The other responses do not align with the severity of the act in question. Awarding base advancement would be inappropriate, as the runner’s actions are punitive rather than justified by typical gameplay. A warning for unsportsmanlike conduct does not account for the intentional nature of the collision, and allowing the play to continue without disruption would contradict the rules that dictate player safety and sportsmanship. Thus, ejection and being declared out is the appropriate response to such conduct.