Just Don't Do It...

mick · #1 (**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 · #2 (**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 · #3 (**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 · #4 (**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 · #5 (**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 · #6 (**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 . . . .

bob jenkins · #7 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 22, 2006, 07:51pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

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.

Some suits are allowed for a period of time after a minor becomes an adult, not only for a period of time after the incident.

WhatWuzThatBlue · #8 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 22, 2006, 08:10pm

Once upon a time, I was instructed to pick up the bat and toss it to the side, away from the playing action. Backstops were not what they are today and most of the fields didn't have dugouts, just a bench behind the fence back then.

About twenty years ago, I started kicking the bat to the side with a steel toed plate shoe. I have been doing it this way ever since.

Sometimes, if the play is developing (say R2 on an outfield hit), I'll tell the catcher to clear the bat so that he doesn't have it in the way. Almost always he utilizes the foot wedge to get the job done.

Whatever you do, don't toss the bat in the air. Kick it or slide it with purpose. I'm sure that CB or Bob will agree that acting like this is preventative and prudent - not acting in an irresponsible and reckless manner. But then again, I pay my attorney to think fabout those things for me...

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

DG · #11 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 21, 2006, 09:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

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

The catcher is generally setting up for a throw at the plate and the bat poses no danger to him. The pitcher is generally running around the home plate area to back up the throw home and the bat poses no danger to him either. Both have plenty of time to see it, the catcher will often move it himself. The runner is the only one who is running hard toward HP and if a bat is in his way it is more hazardous to him than to the catcher or the pitcher.

tiger49 · #12 (**permalink**) Sun Apr 23, 2006, 08:54am

When it comes to getting the bat out of the way take a NAP

N-Necessary- Is a play happening where the bat may get in the way.
A-Accessible- Is the bat in a location that allows you to move it without
getting too far out of position without recovering.
P-Practical- Is the play such that you can take the time to get the bat out
of the way.

When getting the bat out slide it straight back without taking your eyes off the play.

SanDiegoSteve · #13 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 22, 2006, 01:46am

The umpire should clear the bat only if time permits. His plays come first. Nothing wrong with cash game umpires. I don't umpire for free myself, and I don't act that way. This guy sounded like a butt, and nearly maimed you with the bat, so I see your point. An umpire should also be there because he loves baseball. If you don't enjoy umpiring, you should find something else to do.