bunted ball hits bat again

[1dumbquestion]

I know we've talked about this a few times so please direct me to the post if it's easier then hashing it out again.

batter bunts and the ball goes straight down and back up, at this point I heard a a second hit. I'm not sure if the batter had already dropped the bat and they met in the air or if the bat was still in the hitters hands. I'm sure the bat did not roll into the ball on the ground. Anyway F2 touched it foul and I killed it right away. The D wanted an out. I told him I've got nothing but a foul. So, my question. Should I have killed it as soon as I heard the second hit? If the ball went fair I think the D might have had a valid arguement leading me to think I should call foul immediatley. What do you think? Thanks, 1

[renegadewolf]

according to PBUC

If a batted ball strikes a bat or part of a bat accidentally in foul territory, it's a foul ball

If after hitting or bunting a fair ball the batters bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory the batter is out and the ball is dead.

Chances are (without actually knowing, just playing odds) the bat was over the plate when the batter was bunting, if the ball indeed went straight down and back up you are in fair territory. Intentional or not batter is out.

[dddunn3d]

There's a subtle, but significant difference on whether the ball hit the bat, or the bat hit the ball in the OP.

If the ball is bunted where it bounces back up and hits the bat, it is a foul ball, period.

If, however, the bat is dropped onto the ball, it depends upon where the ball is when the bat contacts it; it will be either foul or batter out for interference.

In the OP, if you're not sure if the bat is still in the batter's grip, call foul, because that's the evidence you have (the sound of the second ball/bat contact).

[1dumbquestion]

Great, I'm fine with my call. I'll just kill it right away next time. Thanks, 1

[alex7]

Can someone clear up the disagreement between the first two replies? One says if ball is bunted and hits bat or batter in fair ground, even if still in the box, batter is out.

The other reply says it's a foul ball.

[noumpere]

If the batter is in the box and still holding the bat, then its a foul ball whether the ball hits the batter or the bat.

If the batter is out of the box and in fair territory and still holding the bat, then the batter is out whether the ball hits the batter or the bat.

[Jimurray]

according to PBUC

If a batted ball strikes a bat or part of a bat accidentally in foul territory, it's a foul ball

If after hitting or bunting a fair ball the batters bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory the batter is out and the ball is dead.

Chances are (without actually knowing, just playing odds) the bat was over the plate when the batter was bunting, if the ball indeed went straight down and back up you are in fair territory. Intentional or not batter is out.

according to PBUC

If a batted ball strikes a bat or part of a bat accidentally in foul territory, it's a foul ball

If after hitting or bunting a fair ball the batters bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory the batter is out and the ball is dead.

Chances are (without actually knowing, just playing odds) the bat was over the plate when the batter was bunting, if the ball indeed went straight down and back up you are in fair territory. Intentional or not batter is out.

I don't know if your PBUC is current but 6.05(g) and (h) have been changed to make this a foul ball. Before they were changed common interps made it a foul ball only but apparantly the double hit out is still alive and well.

[Rich Ives]

Find 6.005(g ) in the current OBR. Read it. Read it again - out loud.

[AZump78]

Interesting. I had always thought that was a two stroke penalty... :nod: