Runner struck by thrown ball

Question
Runner is on 3rd base, pass ball, catcher retrieves the ball and throws ball to 3rd base as runner realizes he can not make it home.  Runner is struck with the thrown ball while returning to 3rd base and is inside the foul line (running on the field of play), is the runner out or safe???

Answer
Sonny,

Unless the runner blocks the ball on purpose or is running way out of the baseline (more then three feet), the ball is live and the runner is safe (presuming no defender can get the ball and tag the runner before he makes it to third base).

Hope this helps!

Brian