Blue: Don't toss the bat

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by blueskysblue

Interesting ! So, NJ has amended all those different formally published rules? In ASA (and NFHS, as well), the batter can actually carry the bat all the way around the bases, as long as there is no interference with any play as a result.

Over the past several years, I have weaned myself from picking up any equipment while play is live. I will, on occasion, pickup the catcher's head gear, if the play is dead; and I will at times pick up a bat, after the end of an inning, and hand it to a base coach passing by.

This is how it should be handled:

Atty: Mr. Umpire, did you see the bat lying on the ground next to home plate when my client was running home?
Umpire: No, sir, I did not
Atty: Why not?
Umpire: Because I was watching the play.
Atty: Why were you watching the play and not concerned with the bat?
Umpire: That is the purpose of my being on the field and the instruction received from the association under whose rules this league chose to play.
Atty: "Mr. Umpire, did you consider moving that bat away from the base path?"
Umpire: What bat would that be? As I previously stated, I was watching the play.
Atty: If you are not responsible for the bat, who is?
Umpire: I would think that would be the owner of the bat, sir.
Atty: So, you expect the owner of the bat to come back to pick it up after they use it? Are you just going to ignore the bat they leave on the ground?
Umpire: Sir, the player doesn't need to drop or leave the bat. That's just what she has been instructed to do by the coach, not the umpire.
[/QUOTE]

[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

[blueskysblue]

Outstanding, Mike!

[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.

[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.