Softball Foul Ball Incident: Umpire Discrepancy & Rule Clarification

Question
This happened twice in two weeks during our Softball league this summer.  Ground ball to the shortstop.  Throw gets by the first baseman striking the first base coach.  The first week the ruling was a dead ball and the runner was awarded second base.  When it happened the second time our runner assumed the same ruling and began walking to second base.  The other team tagged him and he was called out.  The ump stated it was not a dead ball even though the first base coach was out of play.  What is the ruling?

Answer
Hi Jason,

Unless the coach intentionally interferes with the throw, we have nothing.  The dead ball and award would be incorrect.

The coaches' box is not "out of play", the coaches' box is in live ball territory.  "Out of  play" is dead ball territory.

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