Slung the bat

Tex · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Mar 25, 2006, 11:24am

Had a batter who during the hitting of the softball in a NFHS game, slung the bat to where the bat went behind the catcher and hit the fence quite hard. The bat did not slip from her hand. I warned the coach and said, that for safety reasons, the next batter who does this will be restricted to the bench. Two innings later, same batter does the same thing again, with the bat landing in about the same spot next to the fence, as she safely reaches 1st base.

I restricted this person to the bench and a substitute replaced her at 1st base. I have not found any rule (NCAA, NFHS, or ASA), covering slinging of the bat in foul territory, thus supporting my call. Was this the proper call? Please mention the supporting rule I should have used.

Dakota · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Mar 25, 2006, 11:40am

NFHS 3-6-2.

The PENALTY is printed after 3-6-12.

Although from your description, I may have applied 3-6-18, which would have resulted in ejection (especially the second time).

Tex · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Mar 25, 2006, 12:03pm

Tom,
Thank-you, I assume the substitution at 1st base was proper.

Smiley · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Mar 25, 2006, 12:18pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Tom,
Thank-you, I assume the substitution at 1st base was proper.

Substitution was proper. Penalty does not include an out.

Al · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Mar 25, 2006, 01:44pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley

Substitution was proper. Penalty does not include an out.

In USSSA coach pitch throwing a bat results in a team warning and the next player that throws a bat is called out, with no one advancing on the play. It's a complete judgment call as to what constitutes a thrown bat. I had to use that judgment a few times last year, and only once did the second offense come where I rules an out, and I had no arguments from any coaches. I don't judge a bat to have been thrown, unless it is pretty obvious and could have put someone in harms way. ..I did have one lady tell me she thinks I should call it more often. I told her I don't think just tossing the bat down towards foul territory, as they are starting towards first base, is what is meant by throwing the bat. In a nice way I told her if she wants to make judement calls she should seek an umpire job.

...

Nothin' like fun at the ole' ball park!

IRISHMAFIA · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Mar 25, 2006, 02:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Had a batter who during the hitting of the softball in a NFHS game, slung the bat to where the bat went behind the catcher and hit the fence quite hard. The bat did not slip from her hand. I warned the coach and said, that for safety reasons, the next batter who does this will be restricted to the bench. Two innings later, same batter does the same thing again, with the bat landing in about the same spot next to the fence, as she safely reaches 1st base.

I restricted this person to the bench and a substitute replaced her at 1st base. I have not found any rule (NCAA, NFHS, or ASA), covering slinging of the bat in foul territory, thus supporting my call. Was this the proper call? Please mention the supporting rule I should have used.

And you will not find anything in ASA concerning what you have described.

Skahtboi · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 27, 2006, 09:56am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al

In USSSA coach pitch throwing a bat results in a team warning and the next player that throws a bat is called out, with no one advancing on the play. It's a complete judgment call as to what constitutes a thrown bat. I had to use that judgment a few times last year, and only once did the second offense come where I rules an out, and I had no arguments from any coaches. I don't judge a bat to have been thrown, unless it is pretty obvious and could have put someone in harms way. ..I did have one lady tell me she thinks I should call it more often. I told her I don't think just tossing the bat down towards foul territory, as they are starting towards first base, is what is meant by throwing the bat. In a nice way I told her if she wants to make judement calls she should seek an umpire job.

...

Nothin' like fun at the ole' ball park!

Please tell me the rule that supports this in the rule book. I believe you are confusing a local rule with a USSSA rule.

mcrowder · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 27, 2006, 10:39am

There is no such USSSA rule regarding this... although umpires always want to invent one.

Al · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 27, 2006, 11:08am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Please tell me the rule that supports this in the rule book. I believe you are confusing a local rule with a USSSA rule.

Hey Scott,

Last year all umpires and coaches were given a list of rules in a meeting prior to the start of the season. Concerning bat throwing it was a judgment call on the part of he umpires. Yes, it was a Local Rule... My bad! I assumed since it was listed with other rules that were in the USSSA rules that it also came from the rule book. This Friday we are having a meeting with coaches and umpires to go over the rules and changes to rules for this year. ...Al

DownTownTonyBrown · #10 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 28, 2006, 01:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota

NFHS 3-6-2.

The PENALTY is printed after 3-6-12.

Although from your description, I may have applied 3-6-18, which would have resulted in ejection (especially the second time).

You must be looking at an old rule book.
2006 NFHS 3-6-3
A team member shall not carelessly throw a bat.
PENALTY
The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be restricted to the dugout/bench for the remainder of the game.

NFHS 3-6-16
Team personnel shall not deliberately throw bats, helmets or any other piece of equipment.
PENALTY
The umpire shall eject the offender from the game, unless the offense is judged to be of a minor nature. If minor, the umpire may warn the offender and eject if the offense is repeated.

CASE BOOK PLAY 3.6.16 Situation B
After hitting a line drive toward F5, B1 throws her bat and it strikes the catcher or umpire. the act was judged to be (a) intentional, or (b) unintentional. RULING: In (a), the offender will be ejected from the game. If B1's fair hit ball is a base hit, B! will be replaced with a substitute runner. In (b), the umpire will warn the team for a carelessly thrown bat, and if the act is repeated, any subsequent offenders on that team will be restricted to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game.

umpiregal65 · #11 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 28, 2006, 02:48pm

Even though the asa rules says slipping or throwing in anger, I would have warned her, next time she is ejected. To me it would be a safety issue.

Skahtboi · #12 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 28, 2006, 03:03pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by umpiregal65

Even though the asa rules says slipping or throwing in anger, I would have warned her, next time she is ejected. To me it would be a safety issue.

What rule, from the book, are you going to use to support this action?

umpiregal65 · #13 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 28, 2006, 03:12pm

I would use unsportsman like behavior. She was warned once.

mcrowder · #14 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 28, 2006, 04:17pm

Unsportsmanlike behavior? Show me the rule you will point to when you threaten my best player with ejection for inadvertently throwing a bat. Show me the rule you will point to when she is ejected for accidentally doing it a 2nd time. This is a protest you will lose (assuming your local league isn't making up rules on this).

Skahtboi · #15 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 28, 2006, 04:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by umpiregal65

I would use unsportsman like behavior. She was warned once.

Again....what rule, from the book, are you going to use to support this action?