Moving the bat

[jmkupka]

Batter puts the ball in play, bat comes to rest straddling the path of all potential scorers (as it does 100 times a game).
Does anyone here pull the thing out of the way? Ever? Only when it's safe to do so? Always? Absolutely never?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Batter puts the ball in play, bat comes to rest straddling the path of all potential scorers (as it does 100 times a game).
Does anyone here pull the thing out of the way? Ever? Only when it's safe to do so? Always? Absolutely never?

Never , but I will warn the oncoming runner.

[RKBUmp]

Ive always been told to leave the bat alone. Once it is out of the batters hands and on the field it becomes a part of the field. If the catcher wants it moved, let them move it.

[Umpteenth]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Ive always been told to leave the bat alone. Once it is out of the batters hands and on the field it becomes a part of the field. If the catcher wants it moved, let them move it.

Same here. To do otherwise runs the risk of not being able to do it 1 time and creating the impression that you are helping 1 team but not the other.

If I can, I'll warn an incoming runner to watch for the bat.

[Insane Blue]

I used to but was informed by a local UIC to quit doing it. The reason given was the equipment (bat/catchers mask) is part of the game and if someone get hurts because it is where it is when it landed after it's use then we are covered. But if we move it and some one gets hurt we could be liable.

[Manny A]

What I found interesting as I transitioned to softball from that other sport with the small white ball is how 180 out the communities feel about this. In that other sport, we were told that if we could do it, move the bat, usually by bending down while watching play and sliding the bat back between the legs. In softball, however, we were instructed never to touch it.

Hell, I was even castigated when I picked up a bat after an inning ended and handed it to a player or coach as they headed for the dugout.

[MD Longhorn]

Never touch the bat during play.

Manny getting yelled at for helping out between innings is kind of stupid (on the part of the person who yelled at him).

[Andy]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Never touch the bat during play.

Manny getting yelled at for helping out between innings is kind of stupid (on the part of the person who yelled at him).

I have been told this same thing....

The rationale is that if you take the opportunity to pick up a bat between innings for one team, and the next inning you don't have the same opportunity for whatever reason, it can be seen as favoritism toward one team.

The guy that told me this said that he would rather be thought a jerk by BOTH teams for not picking up the bat. He also advises not to touch the ball between innings, like pick it up and hand it to the pitcher...some pitchers and players are very superstitious about the ball...don't touch it!

[chapmaja]

Today, during a JV game I was umpiring, we had the following situation occur.

Runners at 1st and second. Base hit to RF, the bat lands crossing the 3rd base line about 3 feet from home plate. Runner from second scores easily, but steps over the bat in doing so. The ODP is on the well away from the plate and makes no attempt to remove the bat. The runner from first tries going to third. Throw comes in and gets by F5. The runner bolts for home. Throw comes in towards the plate (high and to the first base side about 5 feet). Runner slides across the top of the bat safely into home plate.

My first concern when she slide wasn't safe or out, it was healthy or injured, then safe or out. Luckily she sprang up grabbed the bat and went to the dug out.

[Rich]

I don't work softball. The phrase posted above by EsqUmp is the baseball way. Plate umpire moves the bat if it's necessary, available, and possible.

I've also moved a mask or helmet or two in my years. Worrying about damaging such a thing is laughable, IMO. I've seen catchers intentionally lay the helmet in the baseline to obstruct a runner -- I'm either kicking it aside or if I have time picking it up and moving it.

Different strokes. Guess it's good I know this before coaching my daughter's team this summer. (Actually I'll be happy if they don't throw the bat and hit someone with it -- they're 7-9 years old.)

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't work softball. The phrase posted above by EsqUmp is the baseball way. Plate umpire moves the bat if it's necessary, available, and possible.

I've also moved a mask or helmet or two in my years. Worrying about damaging such a thing is laughable,

So is being arrested or sued for protecting your family and home from an intruder, but it happens way more often than it should.

IMO. I've seen catchers intentionally lay the helmet in the baseline to obstruct a runner -- I'm either kicking it aside or if I have time picking it up and moving it.

And as a catcher, I used to clear the bat with my foot, I just happen to become proficient in placing it up the line. To me, that is part of the game. Remember, the batter isn't required to leave or place the bat any where at any time. The location of the bat is at the sole discretion of the batter. Unless it is coming at my head, I really don't care where it goes, it does not involve my part of the game.

Different strokes. Guess it's good I know this before coaching my daughter's team this summer. (Actually I'll be happy if they don't throw the bat and hit someone with it -- they're 7-9 years old.)

You also need to take into consideration that because a softball field is more confined than that of baseball, the action is a bit quicker and IMO requires a higher level of attention.