Outfielder Kicks Ball Out of Play


 
Envision a playing field where in deep right field there is not much room between the foul line and the out-of-play line (Columbia Park comes to mind)...
 
1a. With R1 on first base, the batter (B1) hits a long fair ball down the right field line. The right fielder races to the ball as the ball comes to a stop. As the right fielder is running and leaning over to pick up the ball, he accidentally kicks the ball out of play. At the time of the kick, R1 had not made it to 2nd base, but B1 had rounded 1st base. The ball is dead when the ball goes out of play, but where do you place the runners?
 
Call
Since the ball had come to a stop, then kicked, then went out of play -- the umpire should award all runners two bases from the time of the kick. With two runners between the same two bases, this turns into a trick question. The umpire awards two bases to the lead runner, but only one base to the trailing runner.

1b. Does it matter if the ball was in fair or foul territory when kicked?
 
Call
1b. If the ball was fair, it does not matter where the ball settled before it was kicked.

2. In a play somewhat similar to #1a -- with R1 on first base, the batter (B1) hits a long fair line drive down the right field line. The right fielder races to the ball, but instead of catching the ball in the air, the ball in-flight hits the right fielder's knee and bounces out of play.  At the time of the deflection (and the time the ball went out of play), R1 had not reached 2nd base and B1 had not reached 1st base. The ball is dead when the ball goes out of play, but where do you place the runners?
 
Call
2. If a batted ball ricochets out of play without the player supplying the force, then it is two bases from the time of the pitch.