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Originally Posted by Steve M
Greymule,
You said "I've umpired ASA in NJ for many years, also Fed for a while. No rule about dropping the bat. In ASA, a thrown bat is an out only if it prevents a fielder from making a play. ..."
That's not true. A discarded bat is just another part of the field. I suspect that the rule you are citing refers to a batter-runner carrying the bat and then having it slip out of their hands - then it's not discarded equipment/part of the field.
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Speaking ASA
There is a penalty when the bat accidently slips from the batter's hand during a swing, follow through or backswing that prevents a defender from making a play on the ball. A bat that is simply dropped or discarded is just part of the field unless, in the umpire's judgment, the batter-runner acted in a manner to intentionally discard the bat in the path of a defender attempting to make a play. It is rare, but I've seen it happen.