Bat rattle

[umpjim]

Latest news in TX about bat rattle:

To: All TASO Baseball Umpires

Subject: Bats:

Please be aware and make coaches and players aware that if a bat makes a rattling sound that it is considered a BROKEN BAT (1-3-5) and therefore, illegal for use in a game.

You should handle this situation in the following manner. If you hear a rattling sound as the player comes to bat, you should declare the bat illegal and apply 7-4-1a and 4-1-3 a-b. If you discover the bat after the bat has been used, you should only remove it from the game (1-3-4). The bat could have become broken after hitting the ball.

BBCOR bats have rings in the barrel that stiffen the barrel and they sometimes break. This results in the bat barrel becoming more flexible like the BESR bats.

Thank you,
Jay Evans, TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by umpjim

If you hear a rattling sound as the player comes to bat, you should declare the bat illegal and apply 7-4-1a and 4-1-3 a-b. If you discover the bat after the bat has been used, you should only remove it from the game (1-3-4). The bat could have become broken after hitting the ball.

Agree.

Disagree: the batter has committed an infraction only by bringing the bat into the batter's box. If the illegal bat is detected before the batter enters the box, remove it without further penalty.

[nopachunts]

Agree with both ends. If you are in Texas, when the coach signs the blue card he is affirming his equipment is legal, his players are legally equipped, and have been instructed what to do if a piece of equipment is found to be illegal or not in compliance.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by nopachunts

Agree with both ends. If you are in Texas, when the coach signs the blue card he is affirming his equipment is legal, his players are legally equipped, and have been instructed what to do if a piece of equipment is found to be illegal or not in compliance.

That's true in every state that uses FED and already covered by the rules. A batter is not out under 7-4-1a until he enters the box.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by mbyron

That's true in every state that uses FED and already covered by the rules. A batter is not out under 7-4-1a until he enters the box.

mbryon,
No argument there.

Texas TASO has the umpire have a card signed by each coach before each game affirming players being properly equippped, equipment being legeal, and players being instructed what to do in the event of something either being illegal or becoming illegal. The cards are turned into our chapter secretary who then forwards them to the state level of TASO. I don't know if other states have the coaches sign something or if just the questions are asked and answered.