CATCHERS INTERFERENCE AND A STEAL

There are two ways I let the runner stay at 3rd.  If the offensive manager takes the result of the play and the runner was safe at 3rd, or if by enforcing the catchers interference and sending the batter to 1st, the runner on 2nd is forced to third by a trailing runner.  If there is no trailing runner and the manager elects to take the interference, then R1 should return to 2nd.

Thanks, I really appreciate someone to sort this out with.

Assume no one on first, so no force from 2nd to 3rd, the runner at 2nd takes off on the pitch and that batter swings, misses, but hits the catchers glove. I do not believe the manager there has an option because if a steal was in progress, then the steal "play" started before the catchers interference. The option rule (LL6.08c) only allows the option on catchers interference if a play "follows" the interference, not precedes it. LLRule 7.04c on the other hand provides that if the runner is stealing "while" the interference occurs, the runner advances.  What do you think?

Batter is awarded first base on the interference - rule 6.08c
IF the runner at 2nd was STEALING - then he is awarded 3rd as well - rule 7.04d

It might help to understand why a stealing runner is awarded the base he was advancing to, but other runners are not.

Think of a squeeze play. We don't want to allow the defense to do something illegal and get an advantage because of it. If the rule did not allow for the award to stealing runners, then during a squeeze, the catcher could simply reach out and push the batter away, get the interference call, and have the runner sent back to third base. The catcher's actions would be illegal, but would result in saving a run.