Bat Rule

[NY Blue]

Just when you think you'll never see anything new...

12U Cal Ripken. D3K and BR heads to first. In the commotion, BR carried the bat with him almost the entire way to 1st, tossing it off a few steps before getting to 1B. Throw did not get BR at 1st. BR now on 1st, Runner from 3rd scored on the play.

D/AC comes out of the dugout and protests to the base umpire about the BR carrying the bat with him up the line. Next thing I know, the BR is called out for carrying the bat up the line. I asked the plate ump where I might find that infraction in the rules and whether it was a Cal Ripken rule or OBR. He said he had no idea and he had never seen it or seen it called before. After the game, I asked the base umpire where I could find a reference to the call and he informed me its OBR.

For me, unless the batter caused INT by carrying the bat, which in this case he did not, I know of no penalty or ruling that makes this an out. I can't find anything relevant in OBR either.

Anyone?

[Rich Ives]

Just when you think you'll never see anything new...

12U Cal Ripken. D3K and BR heads to first. In the commotion, BR carried the bat with him almost the entire way to 1st, tossing it off a few steps before getting to 1B. Throw did not get BR at 1st. BR now on 1st, Runner from 3rd scored on the play.

D/AC comes out of the dugout and protests to the base umpire about the BR carrying the bat with him up the line. Next thing I know, the BR is called out for carrying the bat up the line. I asked the plate ump where I might find that infraction in the rules and whether it was a Cal Ripken rule or OBR. He said he had no idea and he had never seen it or seen it called before. After the game, I asked the base umpire where I could find a reference to the call and he informed me its OBR.

For me, unless the batter caused INT by carrying the bat, which in this case he did not, I know of no penalty or ruling that makes this an out. I can't find anything relevant in OBR either.

Anyone?

It's not there.

It's a playground rule.

[carolinablue]

Haven't you ever seen Major League. Pedro Cerrano carried his bat all the way around the bases after he hit a home run.

[NY Blue]

Oh, trust me. I wasn't confused..they were. Blows my mind how certain the base ump was when I asked him which rule set contained that particular infraction.

[ukce1861]

There's an NSA softball rule that you can't touch first base while still holding the bat. Don't know why, but maybe that's what they were appyling...:shakehead:

[NFUA_44]

Call it the Ty Cobb rule..............crime prevention as you round the bases.