Quote:
Originally posted by jumpmaster
Originally I thought no big deal, however, after watching a few bunts unfold in front of me, I realized that this tape is in the same vicinity as where the BR places his fingers for a bunt and could, if the ball strikes that area, absorb some of the impact on the ball upon the bat.
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OBR 6.06
A batter is out for illegal action when (d) He uses or attempts to use a bat that, in the umpire's judgment, has been altered or tampered with in such a way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball. This includes, bats that are filled, flat surfaced, nailed, hollowed, grooved or covered with a substance such as paraffin, wax, etc. No advancement on the bases will be allowed and any out or outs made during a play shall stand. In addition to being called out, the player shall be ejected from the game and may be subject to additional penalties as determined by his League President.
I thought that we had the ruling on this one decided but I was reading, and I came across something. Looks to me like having tape on the bat to absorb some of the impact is causing an unusual reaction on the ball. Tape on the bat could also be covered under the part where it says "a bat that is covered with a substance". If that is the case, not only is the batter out, but he is ejected.