What ruling occurs if R3 touches home plate before the batter causes interference?

The scenario hinges on the principle of interference in baseball. If R3, the runner, touches home plate before any interference caused by the batter, the run does not count due to the act of interference. In this case, when a batter interferes with the play, it is deemed that the offense has hindered the defensive team’s ability to make a play. This rule is established to maintain fair play and ensure that the defense is not unduly affected in their actions.

The interference from the batter overrides the completed run, even if the runner has already crossed home plate, as the interference is a separate action that disrupts the normal course of the game. Therefore, the action of the batter in this situation means that the run cannot be awarded. It highlights the importance of players adhering to the rules of the game to ensure fair competition.