Illegal Bat

[Gozer]

NFHS Rules...

Had a corked bat today in my double-header. Anyway, called the batter out and took the bat and placed it in my car. What do you guys do with bats that are illegal for the rest of the game?

Take care and thanks for the help,

Kenny

[whiskers_ump]

For the only illegal bat I have found this year, I had the
team take it to the concession stand and pick it up after
the game.

[Dakota]

What I want to know is how & why anyone would cork an aluminum alloy / composite bat?

[TwoBits]

Was the batter ejected/restricted as well?

[Gozer]

I used the term "corked" for filled, you could see around the end where they had cut the top off and prolly put more aluminium to make the bat heavier. I figured I would secure the bat for the rest of the game and wondered if anyone else had. I did not eject the batter. But funny thing, she hit the ball foul to the fence with the "corked" bat and when she came up to bat again without her wonderwand she only hit it about half way between thrid and the left field player. Thought it was quite funny. None-the-less I guess I did the right thing. Anyway, thanks for the help guys and gals.

TC,

Kenny

[AtlUmpSteve]

I can't immdiately find it in the NFHS book, but this is clearly an altered bat. Am I mistaken in believing using an altered bat is also an ejection, like in other rules sets?

[buddha69]

I would have ejected her from the game at the point of the finding. But first of all, was that bat there for inspection before the start of the game? Someone should have found that during checking the bats. or did they pulled it out during the game?

[tzme415]

I don't think I would have taken the bat myself. I would have just given it back to the team that used it. If they are dumb enough to leave it where another player grabs it and comes to bat, then they deserve another out. My question is if most of you check every bat before each game. I have done mainly adult slow pitch and often each team will bring ten bats or so to a game, but many of them just hang on the rack or never make it out of the bag. I may scan them and randomly check a few, but I have never checked every bat.

[scottk_61]

I check every bat before every game, even if the team is playing a double header.
Why?
Well, one I get paid to do it
Two, I am supposed to by design
Three, sometimes a bat get accidentally included in the dugout but more likely it is purposeful.

I don't believe in random checks because they cause random mistakes and random trouble.

If I am working ASA JO ball, I am more likely to believe it is an accidental placement.

Now, the sitch originally was Federation ball, the illegal bat is an out and an ejection.
I don't take the bat but rather have it taken by an administrator and a report goes to the state.

I personally don't want the bat in my possession, cause as sure as the sun is going to come up in the morning, some parent will say that we damaged the bat or that we took it and altered it after the game in which we cheated for the other team etc etc.

Make it simple, out, ejection, report and make sure the game administrator has the bat.

[tzme415]

I guess I never saw anywhere that it says that it is part of the job to check every bat, just like I don't check every glove or every pair of shoes. I do keep my eyes open and scan for potential problems before and during game. I guess it might be good preventative umpiring to check every bat and point out illegal ones before the game, but that said wouldn't it also be good to check every glove and have each player show me their shoes and any other equipment that may be used.

[scottk_61]

Originally posted by tzme415
I guess I never saw anywhere that it says that it is part of the job to check every bat, just like I don't check every glove or every pair of shoes. I do keep my eyes open and scan for potential problems before and during game. I guess it might be good preventative umpiring to check every bat and point out illegal ones before the game, but that said wouldn't it also be good to check every glove and have each player show me their shoes and any other equipment that may be used.

Ok, I'll bite.

By rule we have to know that a helmet has a NOCSAE seal on it, a bar has to be on the ASA Approved bat list, the field has to have bases spaced 60 feet apart etc.

Do you walk the field prior to your game?
Do you wait for a batter to come up improperly equipped before you check that helmet? and then issue a team warning while they go back a get a legal helmet?

Do you wait for a batter to use an illegal bat and then wait on the appeal from the defense, while they carry the poor kid off to the ER?

No, you shoudl be doing these things before the game.
I don't know about your state, but here it is a requirement and is outlined for the officials.
If you do ASA ball, especially at a National event, it is required.

IT IS ALSO GOOD COMMON SENSE NOT TO LET YOURSELF GET SUED.

C'mon, use your brain to prevent the negative events in a game before they happen.

[tzme415]

Thanks for the insight, never thought about it in those terms. I've never done a game where helmets were required, so never checked one. I haven't done a game in over 6 years, just getting back into it, many of the bat rules were not applicable then. I did always walk the field and look for any holes and for any places where the ball might be able to go under or through the fence and step off the bases. There were often youth baseball games and the bases were 55 ft (Don't ask me why) - so it was important to check this.

[Gozer]

The bat had to be pulled out during the game, I checked every players bat, and sometimes two of them. I doubt the coach will let her have it back because I gave it to him and explained what would happen if I found it again in another game. I wrote down the information on it and the team and the player that had it. I also called my two comissioners and told them about the existance of the bat and to put it in the notes seciton when someone else works the game. I just dont like poor sportsmanship and cheating. Mabye the kid will learn the lesson (wow I said kid and I am only 21 ). Well thanks for the help.

TC,

Kenny