[greymule]

Stopped by an NCAA game yesterday and saw a coach put the game under protest for the following ruling.

Abel on 1B, no outs. Baker bunted and, as she took off for 1B, threw the bat down in front of the plate. (This was not some kind of unusual or violent throwing of the bat. The play looked normal, but she sort of "pushed," rather than "dropped," the bat to the ground.) The ball rolled up against the bat, and F2 grabbed the ball and threw to 1B for the out.

Coach argued that it should have been called a dead ball. (Exactly what else she was arguing was hard to determine. I don't know whether she claimed the batter should be out or not, but she was making a big deal about "intentionally.") Umps ruled the ball in play but informed the opposing coach that the game was being played under protest.

Any odds on the chances the protest will be upheld?