Runner Crashes into a fielder

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dr. Mark,

If R1 flagrantly crashes into F2, who is holding the ball... we have a dead ball, Interference, R1 is out and ejected, right?

In ASA, do we have any provisions for calling R1 out if F2 was not holding the ball?  Or would we have dead ball, eject R1 and allow her to score if she touches the plate and/or not properly appealed for missing it?

One more - what if F2 is blocking the plate w/o the ball, thus obstructing R1 and then R1 flagrantly crashes?

Thanks in advance... the book doesn't talk a lot about a crash where the fielder is NOT holding the ball.

ANSWER: HI Mike,

ASA 8-7-Q. When a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and
crashes into the defensive player.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. The runner is out. All runners must return to the
last base touched. If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall
be ejected.

It's not an interference call.

It would be an unsportsmanlike conduct ejection, there is no rule to call an out or not allowing the advance or the score and I would not kill the ball unless the fielder was injured.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the swift reply! I thought we may have INT based on RS13. Also, if you felt the offense had gained an advantage by the unsportsmanlike act (good throw to the plate and no catcher to receive it) might you also kill the play? Thanks again!

Answer
Hi Mike,

they do use the "I" word in 13, and the penalty is the same as the more common type of interference call.  I guess I was thinking it's not a "true" or the more common type of interference call, but I shouldn't have said that.  The ball is dead just like any other interference.

No because the defense must have possession of the ball, about to receive the ball, or the ball's on the way doesn't count.  It does boil down to if the defense doesn't have the ball, stay out of the way.

M