What ruling applies when F3 initiates malicious contact with B5 before a tag?

When F3 initiates malicious contact with B5 before a tag, the appropriate ruling is that F3 is ejected from the game, and if R2 is involved in the play, R2 scores, provided it was a timing play. This ruling emphasizes the importance of player safety and sportsmanship, as malicious contact is taken seriously in the sport. The ejection serves as a disciplinary action for the inappropriate behavior displayed by F3.

In addition, if the action caused a base runner to score in a legal manner and timing, the offense still maintains their progression under the rules, reinforcing the nature of the play as legal despite the interference. This decision aims to balance the enforcement of rules against unsportsmanlike conduct with the fair outcome of the game. It highlights that even when a player behaves inappropriately, if the play itself allows for a run to score, that run should be counted.

The other options do not apply because they either wrongly suggest that the game continues as normal without addressing the interference appropriately, deny the consequences of malicious conduct, or incorrectly assert that R2 must return to a base with no regard to their actions during a valid scoring opportunity.