[greymule]

Funny, I was reading that section of the rule book just tonight. Didn't think about a ball thrown overhand or at excessive speed, though. Certainly a high or flat pitch that managed to contact the bat would be made legal if it hit the bat. Or a pitch made with an illegal motion, say, without the proper pause. But if the pitcher fired one overhand and the ball happened to hit the bat, let's say behind the batter's head, I'd claim it did not qualify as a pitch.

Suppose that as the batter fell to the ground, the ball hit the bat and popped up to the catcher for the last out of the game (bases loaded, one run down, etc.). Or as the batter hit the dirt to avoid the fastball, a foot went completely out of the box just before the ball hit the bat. Call the batter out? Maybe by cell phone from the getaway car.

I'd claim my hand was up or something, then eject the pitcher (and call the cops to handle the riot to come).

However, if the batter hit the illegal pitch for a home run, I'd let it stand.