Blue: Don't toss the bat

[U of M Sam]

My simple practice when working as PU (of course some apply when I am BU):
DON'T:
Throw bat (maybe slide out of way with my foot when runner coming to plate provided I have time)
Pick up bat and hand to batter
Touch players even when they are injured (I am not a doctor but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express) :>)
Throw ball back to pitcher (let catcher throw ball)
Pick up catchers helmet after it's thrown on field
These are all I think of at this point. I am very professional while umpiring and have not had a problem with practices listed.
Sam

[Smiley]

Last night had runners advancing home while a bat was lying in the base path. I said to the runners, "Watch out for the bat". The catcher stepped over and picked up the bat. I thanked her.

[DSUAUmpire]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You just don't touch the equipment. If a bat is in the way, it is the ODB's responsibility to clear it, not the umpire's. If that is an issue for the team, they shouldn't drop their bat. The rules allow for them to carry it away from the plate area.

Years back, I use to be one of those who kicked it out of the way, but how do you know the bat isn't moving to another position which could be equally as dangerous or interfere with the play. A discarded bat is part of the game, a bat moved ANYWHERE is not.

Agree with Mike and the majority of everyone here, we as an association stress to our umpires to leave equipment alone. Althought I do have to admit that as a young umpire (long time ago) I did use the classic 'kick' the bat out of way technique, picked up the bat and handed it to the next batter, or even took them to the dugouts between innings, I was a very helpful little batboy.

[Dakota]

Ed,

You accused Mike of not being truthful, when the truth is you are just looking to get a reaction.

The umpires that call a batter-runner out for not dropping the bat (in ASA) are wrong. Deal with it.

By rule, the batter-runner can carry the bat all the way around the bases, just so long as she does not interfere with the defense.

You are wrong. So are your umpires (barring local rules and assuming, of course, that your report of what they call for all those different organizations is correct; given your lack of knowledge on other things and your intense desire to merely be a troll, that is a BIG assumption.)

[blueskysblue]

Outstanding, Mike!

[tcblue13]

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

Is there a fed rule??

That requires batters to drop the bat? No.

[tcblue13]

I didn't think so
Thanks

[Dakota]

Well, whaddayano...

2006
RULES AND REGULATIONS
PONY
GIRLS
SOFTBALL

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

41. THROWING OR CARRYING A BAT
If a player throws the bat intentionally in anger, the player should be ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. If the bat slips from the batter’s hands, there is no penalty unless the discarded bat prevents the defense from making a play on the ball, and interference should be ruled.

There is no penalty when a player carries a bat to first base or any other base. Should the player use the bat (intentionally or unintentionally) to prevent a defensive playerfrom making a play, then interference should be ruled.

(Emphasis in the last paragraph is mine.)

[BretMan]

Since this issue came up once before, I do seem to recall that NSA was the lone rule set that prohibited carrying the bat to first base.

Eddie, are you Jersey guys using NSA umpires for all your ASA, PONY, Babe Ruth, whatever games?

(Edited to add: Okay..I looked it up. NSA rule 7-11-g prohibits a batter-runner from touching first base while still holding the bat. The batter is to be called "out".)

[CecilOne]

PONY, not Pony.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

PONY, not Pony.

OK, I'll try to remember (but may need re-training, since I don't call Pon... er, PONY)... but their web site has it both ways.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Dakota

OK, I'll try to remember (but may need re-training, since I don't call Pon... er, PONY)... but their web site has it both ways.

C'mon, dammit, get it right.

It should be PONY because it's an acronym. In some box in the garage I have a Lew Hays Award...I think for outstanding excellence screwing Little League or something

[AtlUmpSteve]

Much as I hate to feed the troll, I seem to recall that USSSA has a similar rule calling a btter-runner out for touching 1B will holding the bat.

Still, not an ASA, NFHS, or NCAA rule.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

It should be PONY because it's an acronym....

What's it for? (Not meaning to hijack the thread.)