johnstfm

This situation occurred in a 10u level kid pitch recreational level game operating under the Cal Ripken rule set. No local rules for this league touch on this issue. At this level, the teams bat their full roster with no substitutes. With one out and a runner on first and second base, a batter swung and lost control of his bat which ended up striking the catcher squarely (and loudly) in the leg guards. I did not judge the act to be intentional nor did it seemingly result in any interference. The catcher was not injured or encumbered. The batters hit was an infield ground ball which traveled to the defensive second baseman who completed a slow developing tag out force play of the runner traveling from first to second for the second out of the half inning. In the interim, the batter-runner made it to first base safely and stopped there. The runner that was on second base made it third base safely and then rounded and went home. The catcher fielded a throw at home plate that came from the second baseman which was thrown late and the runner scored. A different player from the same offensive team had thrown a bat earlier in the game and a warning was issued. What is the proper ruling? Is this a delayed dead ball or an immediate dead ball? If it is a delayed dead ball, does the run count of the player that scored? Is the batter-runner out? Is the batter-runner bench restricted for the remainder of the game or will they be allowed to play defense still? Would there be an out when their position in the line up came up again? Does anyone have a rule citation for Cal Ripken (or little league)? Thanks.