Just Don't Do It...

mick · #1 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 06:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

Every once in a while I get sidetracked from my intended purpose with regards to this board. I have long enjoyed teaching the newbies and redirecting the veterans. I saw this article and figured it was as timely as anything:

What's the lesson here?

I don't generally touch the bat unless it hits me.
Are there proper guidelines to follow?
I dunno.
mick

BigUmp56 · #2 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 06:28pm

Mick:

If a play at the plate is imminent and provided you have the time to do it just position yourself over the bat with it centered between your legs. Then bend down and simply slide it backwards between your legs, all the while keeping your eyes on the developing play.

Tim.

mick · #3 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 06:38pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Mick:

If a play at the plate is imminent and provided you have the time to do it just position yourself over the bat with it centered between your legs. Then bend down and simply slide it backwards between your legs, all the while keeping your eyes on the developing play.

Tim.

So..., that is a safety issue that we are advised to follow as a matter of practicality, to avoid potential injury ?

I assume the bat oughta be in a 6'-8' distance from the plate?
mick

BigUmp56 · #4 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 06:54pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

So..., that is a safety issue that we are advised to follow as a matter of practicality, to avoid potential injury ?

I assume the bat oughta be in a 6'-8' distance from the plate?
mick

I think it is, especially at the youth level. It's not very often I have to clear a bat for the players who shave though. The catcher usually takes care of it.

As far as the distance goes, out of the way is out of the way.

Tim.

DG · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 07:09pm

I give it a shove with my foot. Place your foot near the big end on the opposite side of where you want it to go and then sweep your foot in that direction you want it to go. It generally moves 3-4 feet, and on the ground.

mick · #6 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 07:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I think it is, especially at the youth level. It's not very often I have to clear a bat for the players who shave though. The catcher usually takes care of it.

As far as the distance goes, out of the way is out of the way.

Tim.

Okay.

By my 6'-8' vicinity. I should have said:

If the bat is farther away than 6'-8', even if it's in the infield, I'd like to forget it, but should I.

mick

DG · #7 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 08:45pm

I only worry about a bat that is anywhere near an advancing runner's basepath. If he steps on it he could break an ankle or foot. If it is out of a runner's way, I don't worry about it.

Rich Ives · #8 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 08:52pm

Gee - what kind of legal system lets you wait nine years to file suit? That usually is only allowable if it took that long to discover the damages - and I suspect that the discovery was pretty instant in this case.

And people wonder why LL prohibits on deck hitters . . . .

nickrego · #9 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 09:02pm

I don't mess with bats or other equipment.

The last thing I want to have happen, is to miss something, or get tangled up with a player while I am reaching for a bat (or other equipment). Or I guess, hit another player with the equipment I am moving.

Good lesson to be learned here, especially for us in California. Like Colorado, this is a sue happy state, with judges that want to keep their lawyer friends in business, and an appellate court that wants everything to go to trial. Forget common sense, and forget what is the right thing to do.

Unless you have video of this umpire picking up the bat, looking directly at the kid in the on deck circle, taking aim, and letting it fly purposely at the player, this thing should not go to trial. My guess is the umpire felt absolutely awful about it when it happened, and would have done anything to take that bat in the head himself instead. This player simply sounds like a person who has failed at making their own way in life, and is now going to try to steal someone else's accomplishments to fund their own future.

mick · #10 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 09:03pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG

I only worry about a bat that is anywhere near an advancing runner's basepath. If he steps on it he could break an ankle or foot. If it is out of a runner's way, I don't worry about it.

That sorta works, DG.
But if we protect the runner why not then protect F1, F2 or Fn ?
I don't disagree with you, I just wonder where it stops.
mick