For ASA or NFHS, I am not forcing the issue (short of a Qualifier, National in ASA, State Championship in NFHS). There is no absolute rule that non-approved bats cannot be in the dugout; no rule actually applies until a batter enters the batter's box with a non-approved bat. Better to not have them where they can be accidently used, but the rule is what it is. Bat checks are a courtesy, anyway; it is still and always the batter's (and coache's) responsibility, not the umpires'.

In any and all collegiate levels, there is a rule (3.3.2) that no bats (other than approved warm-up bats) may be in any team area nor on the field that are not approved for use in the game. Even fungo bats (that aren't one piece wooden bats) must be removed and not used for team warmups once the umpires enter the field. And we are told these are professional coaches whom we are to treat as professionals; and that cuts both ways.

So, I'm sorry, but no option, Coach; your responsibility to know the rule, the effect, the result, and you are responsible for the actions of your team. Remove any and all bats that you are not submitting for game use approval. Your problem if you didn't make appropriate arrangements.

Refusal to do so is an ejection, and we still don't play until your team complies, forfeit if you don't; and an incident report.

Steve, are you saying that we are supposed to inspect even the warm-up bats that players may end up using in the on-deck circle?

NCAA rules (3.4) do not allow illegal, altered, or nonapproved bats in the on-deck circle. Only approved bats, or non-altered one piece wooden bats (softball or baseball). No other "warm-up" bats or devices.

So, there is no excuse for any other bat to be in any team area. Not in the dugout, bullpen, on-deck circle. Just those checked and accounted for in the team's bat list for that game (3.3.2).

Keeps it simple and clear. And 3.3.2 makes it clear the coach is the one responsible for the team's bat list.

This should be the be all and end all of this particular issue.

We (umpires) should not have to check bats and/or helmets prior to the game starting, IMHO.....

I agree. In fact, our colleagues in NCAA baseball no longer have to check bats during pregame.

Unfortunately, NCAA softball still requires us to do so. I'm just trying to gain an understanding on which bats do we check. The six to twelve bats that are lined up outside the dugout are a no-brainer. It's the ten additional bats I see in batbags in the back of the dugout that the girls claim they use for warm-ups that I'm trying to understand if I should check them, or have them removed from the area.

If it's an NCAA game:

Walking into the dugout for bat check...

Crew: "Coach those bats that are in the batbags, we'll need them taken out and brought over here so we can check them."

Coach: "Those are [fill in the reason/excuse/rationale] bats, we don't use those in a game."

Crew: "Coach, if they're not going to be used in the game, by rule, you're going to have to remove those bats from the dugout for both games."

Coach: "OK Blue, we'll get them out of here right now."

Crew: "Thank you, coach."

Piece of cake......begin your bat check.

Read rule 3-3-2

Well, it is known as the Fram Oil Filter Scenario......you can check it now as a group or you can deal with it one at a time at the plate.

First time I worked an AF Championship and all bats were tested and marked and the players were programed to come to the plate and show you the mark every time up, made life easy, very easy for the umpire.

Try getting that done on a regular game :rolleyes: of any organization at any level.:D

Good script, cryptic me was just going to post "have them removed from the area." :)