"Slinging the bat"

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best
Lot of umpires refuse to make this call, some refuse to make the call unless there is a play involved (e.g. throw on R1 to 2b); others only call it if the bat hits them.

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

And thank God for that. Unfortunately, some umpires, while insisting on "getting it right" at all costs, get this rule wrong. All umpires SHOULD refuse to make this call... it's wrong.

The careless slinging of the bat rule is, nonetheless, a rule. Whether or not you or any other umpire decides to apply the rule properly is their choice.

I have seen instances where catchers are put in the way of great personal harm from carelessly released bats. Especially those that wear skull caps and masks instead of helmets. Umpires too.

Typically, it is one or two hitters who have been releasing their bats after contact since peewee ball. It's time they grow up and be coached up on this dangerous practice. I will call this in a heartbeat if I see a consistent pattern of careless release and any umpire who decides to ignore this issue of safety needs to thoroughly rethink why he is out there. IMHO, of course.

[MD Longhorn]

Here's what you were replying to:

After the play, the umpire called him out and returned all runners to their bases they occupied at the time of the pitch.

Your reply:

Originally Posted by Simply The Best
Lot of umpires refuse to make this call, some refuse to make the call unless there is a play involved (e.g. throw on R1 to 2b); others only call it if the bat hits them.

Yes, there IS a rule (in some sets) about a carelessly thrown bat. However, the ruling you replied to is WRONG. Period. Umpires refusing to make THAT call are correct, in that THAT call is wrong. I do "decide to apply the rule properly." Meaning I do refuse to make the call you were replying to.

[Simply The Best]

Your reply:
Originally Posted by Simply The Best
Lot of umpires refuse to make this call, some refuse to make the call unless there is a play involved (e.g. throw on R1 to 2b); others only call it if the bat hits them.

Yes, there IS a rule (in some sets) about a carelessly thrown bat. However, the ruling you replied to is WRONG. Period. Umpires refusing to make THAT call are correct, in that THAT call is wrong. I do "decide to apply the rule properly." Meaning I do refuse to make the call you were replying to.

Which part of "lot of umpires refuse to make the call" did you not understand considering you "refuse to make this call"? My post was nothing more than a simple comment about how umpires handle the sitch. Nowhere was I directing the comment at or about you, it was a general comment about umpires, keep your britches on. Sheesh.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

I have seen instances where catchers are put in the way of great personal harm from carelessly released bats. Especially those that wear skull caps and masks instead of helmets.

Carelessly discarding the bat is a FED rule. Skull caps are illegal for catchers in FED ball.

You are either applying a FED rule to other rule sets where it doesn't apply, or you are applying it in FED games while not enforcing the proper equipment rules for F2.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Carelessly discarding the bat is a FED rule. Skull caps are illegal for catchers in FED ball.

Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is a violation of UC in OBR.

You are either applying a FED rule to other rule sets where it doesn't apply, or you are applying it in FED games while not enforcing the proper equipment rules for F2.

Neither.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is a violation of UC in OBR.

Reference, please.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is a violation of UC in OBR.

Now, somebody is slinging something...

Can you offer a rule, interpretation or case play that supports this notion?

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best
Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is a violation of UC in OBR.

Originally Posted by BretMan

Now, somebody is slinging something...

Can you offer a rule, interpretation or case play that supports this notion?

UC is judgment, interp is what I consider UC. Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is UC.

Next.

[DG]

Should I ask what UC stands for, or does it matter, since I am not in sync with Simply on the subject?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by DG

Should I ask what UC stands for, or does it matter, since I am not in sync with Simply on the subject?

Unsporting conduct.

Suffice it to say that I disagree with STB's interp on this issue. A2D.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is a violation of UC in OBR. UC is judgment, interp is what I consider UC. Carelessly releasing a bat where injury and harm can occur is UC.

That's what I figured you'd say, since that is the only possible thing upon which you could hang your hat. I sincerely doubt you will find any documented interpretation endorsing that ruling.

Next time we see a batter in a Major League game get fooled on a pitch, lose his grip on the bat and have the bat helicopter away from the plate in such a way that "injury and harm can occur", I guess we'll see that batter ejected.

Or maybe not.