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I developed a bad habit of moving the bat out of the way with my foot. Never bend over to pick up the bat, I would just kick it out of the way. On many occasion, that would be halfway to 1B if the play was coming from anywhere other than the right side.
Luckily, I have never taken this anywhere other than the local fields and am working to completely break myself of the habit.
The umpire should never handle any equipment, including the ball. It's the player's game, let them deal with it.
BTW, this is true even after the play. You may think you are being courteous in picking up a bat or helmet, but, once again, this is the player's equipment. I've seen catchers and on deck batters throw the equipment back to the ground after it was handed to them. I assume it was a superstition thing, but if that is part of their game, it is not for the umpire to interfere.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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