Mike:

I was sure someone would RISE to the occasion and put a new SPIN on the play. Even though the MASS of the bat was PROPELLED with such FORCE that it FLEW into the catcher, there is no way to call the batter out, and that's just a DRAG!


Tim.

Enuf SAid
 

http://experts.about.com/q/Baseball-...bat-ruling.htm

Didn't I post a very SIMILAR example? I guess I just made this stuff up too.

Volunteer Expert: Mike Fortunato

Expertise: Can answer questions regarding baseball instruction for hitting (including bunting), fielding (infield and outfield positions), baserunning, and coaching. Also have a thorough knowledge of rules, and on coaching strategies to win games.
Life Experience:

Experience in the area

Lots of semi-pro playing experience, and have also coached extensively. Also have considerable experience as an umpire at most developmental levels.




And your point is?


Tim.

I'm NOT TALL Enuf
 

Batter is OUT for interference

Batter is ejected and DQ from the rest of the tourney.

There can be no protest because tourney rules are different.

The umpires leave the field with TD immediately after a game.

THE END.

Baseball Talk
 

You are here: Experts > Sports > Minor League Baseball > Baseball Instruction > Thrown bat ruling

Topic: Baseball Instruction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expert: Mike Fortunato
Date: 5/3/2005
Subject: Thrown bat ruling
Question
Hi, Mike:

I have extensive experience playing and managing in pro ball, but Williamsport Little League umpiring astounds me. In yesterday's game (12-year-old, majors division), with the bases loaded and two out, the batter swings and misses and throws his bat, and is given a warning by the plate umpire. On the next pitch he taps one back to the mound, but again throws his bat, this time taking out the catcher. The pitcher fields the ball and goes home with it, but the catcher has been injured by the bat and stumbles to get to the plate to take the throw. He is late getting there. The umpire calls the runner at home safe, then throws the hitter out for throwing the bat! He does not call an out, allows the run, and has the coach replace the batter with a pinch-runner at first. We protested that, if the batter is out of the game for throwing the bat, he can't be safe at first. Also, that the bat interfered with the catcher and therefore the batter is out. How can this umpire be right? Thanks!

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Answer
Wow! Based on your description, I would have to agree with you. If I were umpiring that game, I definitely would not have allowed the run to score (based on obstruction). And if the batter was tossed from the game, it's ludicrous that he wouldn't be called out! Only thing I can think of is that the ump's judgment was that the bat was not thrown purposefully -- but even still, he had already issued a warning. Based on my understanding of the situation, your protest would seem to be valid. Whether they overturn the call or not is another matter, since this involves umpire judgment to some degree.

Sorry you had to endure that kind of call. You'd certainly think that Little League would have their best umpires at Williamsport!

Best of luck,

Mike Fortunato

HUH? Where does he get obstruction from? Oh yeah, I want to listen to him give rule interps. Good one SA! Really shored up your side with this one.

What make Mike Fortunato an expert - that he agrees with you?

He would void a run because of obstruction?

He doesn't understand that an ejection takes effect after the play is over?

Perhaps he, and you, should read

http://www.littleleague.org/askll/05febsession.asp

where the LL UIC answers a question about thrown bats.

Fortunato is flat out wrong wrong wrong.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="388"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" width="434">Ray, a local Little League umpire-in-chief in Spring Hill, Fla., asks: </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4"> </td> <td width="426">How do you handle or what can be done when a batter throws the bat after a hit, striking another player with the thrown bat? I would assume that if done intentionally, it would be unsportsmanlike conduct, but what about the player who just does it as a reflex action?</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="434">Andy:</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4">
</td> <td width="426">I’d talk to that player’s manager about it, so the player can be instructed. If it keeps happening, the manager should take the player out of the lineup. There is no rule that allows an umpire to call a batter out for throwing the bat, under any circumstances (even if intentional).

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bbbbbbbuuuutttttt MMMMiikkkeee ssssaaaiiid..........
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Dolt
 

INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. In the event the batter runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.

Thanks Rich
 

This is the type of info that HELPS.


"The rules have ordained that there will be a catcher. Had there not been such a rule very early on, no-one in his right mind would ever have said, “Hey, let me stand behind that batsman and see if I can catch that ball without being hit by it or the bat.” "

The dolt is the one who doesn't know that the defense obstructs and the offense interferes. B...bb...bbbut....it...sss..sssays ob..ob...obstructs in the definition....whaaaaa....whaaaaaaa. He's stalking me....whaaaaaaa!

Go back to Allexperts.com and get some more rulings. Sheesh!

You just can't resist replying can you SA?

Whatever Floats
 

I suppose your spin on things makes you happy.

It really doesn't bother me. You'll see.

I enjoy reading the kiddish behavior.

LOL

Then just read it and quit posting it.

Thanks and have a good day!