Quote:
Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
Quote:
Originally posted by bethsdad
Can I add A "what if" .... What if on the throw to 3rd the ball hit the bat ?
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Speaking ASA.
It's nothing, unless it was intentional.
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Rule 8, Section 5, G, Exception 3 (p. 112, 2004) If the ball becomes blocked due to offensive equipment not involved in the game, the ball is ruled dead and runners are returned to the last base touched at the time of the blocked ball. If the blocked ball prevented the defense from making an out, the runner being played on is out.
True, ASA does not prohibit the batter-runner from carrying the bat, but running at 3B, the bat still in the batter-runner's hands would constitute equipment no longer involved in the game since its three bases after the time that the B-R used the bat to hit the ball. It's only involved in the game and the play at 3B because the B-R is holding it, and he has no business carrying it around the bases. Since the B-R is responsible for the bat interfering with the play at 3B while it's in his hands (as opposed to leaving the bat on the ground back at home and the defense throwing a ball that hits it lying on the ground), I'd call a blocked ball and call the B-R out if the bat prevented the defense from making an out.
Even if it was unintentional, that should have no bearing. Just like if the bat was in the on deck batter's hands.