Thrown bat ?

[Don Mueller]

Fed rules

R3, 1 out
Squeeze play is on, pitch is literally 3' wide. Batter leans out, stays in box, then throws bat at ball. Surprisingly makes contact and ball rolls fair.
What have you got?

I'm not convinced this is legal even though I can't find anything in Fed about this being an illegal swing. All thrown bat rules seem to infer after the swing, second contact with bat or thrown in disgust (unsportsmanlike behavior)

I can make a case for 7-3-5c, throwing the bat hindered F2 from making a play on R3.
I think it's wrong, if I'm right I need a rule to stand on.
Any ideas?

[mcrowder]

No interference - the batter is allowed to try to hit the ball. You have a fair ball ... play on.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

Fed rules

R3, 1 out
Squeeze play is on, pitch is literally 3' wide. Batter leans out, stays in box, then throws bat at ball. Surprisingly makes contact and ball rolls fair.
What have you got?

Nothing

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

I'm not convinced this is legal even though I can't find anything in Fed about this being an illegal swing. All thrown bat rules seem to infer after the swing, second contact with bat or thrown in disgust (unsportsmanlike behavior)

You're right. There is nothing there to cover it. Play on!

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

I can make a case for 7-3-5c, throwing the bat hindered F2 from making a play on R3.
I think it's wrong, if I'm right I need a rule to stand on.
Any ideas?

Come on, Don! It's a pitch and the batter has every right to offer at it. You may not like it but the FED boys haven't ruled against it... YET! Now if you are dealing with ASA Softball, I think that there may be a rule against it.

[LMan]

Don, its legal. Let it play out.

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Nothing


You're right. There is nothing there to cover it. Play on!


Come on, Don! It's a pitch and the batter has every right to offer at it. You may not like it but the FED boys haven't ruled against it... YET! Now if you are dealing with ASA Softball, I think that there may be a rule against it.

If it's legal I have no problem with it. I didn't know and was simply going with my gut before looking it up and asking.
Throwing the bat at the ball as opposed to swinging at it seemed odd. I'm not morally opposed just guessed wrong.