What happens when a batter-runner's shirt catches the ball before reaching first base?

When a batter-runner's shirt catches the ball before reaching first base, the ball is considered dead immediately, and the batter-runner is awarded first base. This is due to the fact that any part of a player's uniform can be regarded as part of the player and, in this situation, interference occurs. The play is halted to ensure that the batter-runner is not penalized for an unusual circumstance that would otherwise allow an out or create a potential safety hazard.

This ruling is based on the premise of maintaining fairness in the game and protecting players from being unfairly penalized when a caught ball inadvertently interacts with their clothing. As a result, this specific scenario affects the dynamics of the game by ensuring that the batter-runner is still able to advance to first base instead of being put out or impacting the game's progress negatively.