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Interesting ! So, NJ has amended all those different formally published rules? In ASA (and NFHS, as well), the batter can actually carry the bat all the way around the bases, as long as there is no interference with any play as a result.
Over the past several years, I have weaned myself from picking up any equipment while play is live. I will, on occasion, pickup the catcher's head gear, if the play is dead; and I will at times pick up a bat, after the end of an inning, and hand it to a base coach passing by.
I can just see the umpire, during civil suit deposition: "Mr. Umpire, did you see the bat lying on the ground next to home plate when my client was running home?"
"Yes, I did".
"Mr. Umpire, did you consider moving that bat away from the base path?"
"No, that's the job of the on-deck batter".
"So, Mr. Umpire, you are actually delegating the safety of the game participants during a contest you are officiating to a 12, 13, 14, etc. year old player?"
"Well . . . ."
Recently, in a HS baseball game, a defensive coach yelled from the dugout, "Blue, get that bat out of the on-deck circle before my catcher breaks a leg!"
I had not realized the on-deck batter had returned into the dugout, for whatever reason, leaving a bat lying on the ground, in the on-deck circle.
Easily handled: I called Time until the bat had been removed.
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Lloyd
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