Yeah. I certainly would not advocate an umpire running 30 feet to get a bat. Particularly one not in the way.

30 feet is rather ridiculous anyway. Let me know the next time the bat actually winds up 30 feet from home plate.

Not often, obviously - but not unheard of. Had a high school team that I drew 4-5 times last year that had a slap hitter who had a bad habit of flinging the bat about that far up the third base line if the pitch she was trying to hit was outside. Maybe not fully halfway up the line every time - but sometimes that far.

the OP it did not say where the bat was, if the bat did somehow end up half way down the third baseline ???? WOW !!! I would not clear that bat because there is no reason too. STUPIDER what is that a new ASA term or Mechanic ?:D

Actually, the original poster did locate the bat in a subsequent post