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IMO, all legal issues aside, I think we have plenty to do during live ball play besides looking for the bat and moving it to where we think it will out of the way. (As this post shows, sometimes it is not!)
Let's see.. batted ball fair/foul, caught on fly or trapped, did the batter runner touch first and if so which part of first (double bag), did she run in the running lane, was there obstruction or interference, safe or out, swipe tag, pulled foot, tag ups, etc.etc.etc.
With all that going on I just don't see myself spending time on finding and moving the bat. The players will deal with it. I also don't touch the equipment after play ends except during the pregame equipment check of bats and helmets. Yes, the thought is there sometimes to be courteous and pick up a helmet that is at your feet when F2 has run down to 1B to back up a throw rather than let her go get it; but aside from the reasons others have given I think this "courteous act" can be perceived incorrectly by others. Goes along with not fraternizing with players you know outside softball on the field.
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