What's your opinion?

[CecilOne]

This is one example of the totally useless differences between the rule books which have no relationship to the school or league context.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally posted by CecilOne
Although, the ASA rule says "the batter hits a fair ball with the bat "; which might imply that a bat hitting a ball after release by the batter is not hit by the batter unless it is intentionally directed at the ball.

While we were at it, I was hoping for a comparison to NCAA.

Hitting Ball a Second Time
SECTION 15. a. The batter may not, after contacting a fair ball, contact the ball with the bat a second time in fair territory.
EFFECT:If the bat is still in the batter's hand(s) when the ball is contacted a second time and the batter is within the batter's box, the ball is dead, a foul ball is ruled, and each runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
If the bat is still in the batter's hand(s) when the ball is contacted a second time and the batter is out of the batter's box, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and each runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
If the bat is out of the batter's hand(s) (on the ground), the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire's judgment, there was no intent to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is live. If it stops or is touched in fair territory, it is a fair ball. If the ball touches the bat in fair territory and then rolls to foul ground and stops, it is a foul ball. If the ball rolls against the bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball regardless.
If the bat is out of the batter's hand(s) (dropped or thrown) and it hits the ball in fair territory, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and each runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
RULE 11-13/BATTING
Page 130
Hitting the Ball a Second Time
Batter Bat Batted Ball Effect
In box In hands Fair or foul Foul ball
Out of box In hands Fair Batter out
Out of box In hands Foul (accidental) Foul ball
Out of box In hands Foul (intentional) Batter out
In/out of box Out of hands (ball hits bat) Fair Live
In/out of box Out of hands (ball hits bat) Foul Foul ball
In/out of box Out of hands (bat hits ball) Fair Batter out
In/out of box Out of hands (bat hits ball) Foul (accidental) Foul ball
In/out of box Out of hands (bat hits ball) Foul (intentional) Batter out
b. The batter may not, after contacting a foul ball, intentionally deflect the course of the ball in any manner while running to first, or intentionally interfere with the catcher's attempt to field a third strike.
EFFECT:The ball is dead, the batter is out, and each runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.