Thrown ball deflects off dropped bat

[MPLSMatt]

Had a different situation last night that made me think of this, and I'm not seeing a clear answer in the book (although I honestly haven't looked that closely).

FED - R1, 2outs. BR hits one to the wall, throw comes in to try to get R1 at the plate but hits the bat still hitting out in front of the plate where the batter dropped it, and deflects out to near the 1b dugout, allowing BR to come home and score. Since the only runner was R1, on deck or catcher could have moved the bat. DC is complaining that the bat wasn't moved and it's the on-deck hitter's responsibility. My initial reaction is nothing but didn't see anything confirm it.

[UmpJM]

Live ball, play the bounce.

No one has the responsibility to move the bat during the continuous action of the play.

JM

[MPLSMatt]

That's what I thought but I started second guessing myself. JM, you are a living, breathing rule book, man and I totally respect that.

[Umpire in Chief]

Live ball, play the bounce.

No one has the responsibility to move the bat during the continuous action of the play.

JM

That includes umpires. It burns me to see guys who make a priority out of moving a bat, That is so far down the list that unless it is super convenient I'm not touching it.

And while I'm on the subject. If you find yourself moving a bat keep it on the ground. Don't you go slinging it to the backstop.

[JaxRolo]

Agreed this is absolutely nothing.

Do not remove the bat yourself. The moment you take your eyes of the ball is when Murphy will come knocking!

[guyinaredhat]

Wellllll guys Don't want to rock the boat , and I know most won't agree but I learned ( At Pro school ) it is a duty not a responsibility of the HP umpire to remove the bat. In other words do it if you can but don't do it if it means taking your eye off the ball or being out of position. You can still clear the bat and keep your eyes on the ball and play. Most times tho the catcher or on deck batters will do it. I was taught that if you can, keep your eyes on the field in front of you and sling the bat betweeen your legs to the back stop.

But its no ones responsibility to clear the bat and if it interferes with the ball then play on. Balls in play .

[UmpJM]

Don't want to rock the boat , but it is a duty not a responsibility of the HP umpire to remove the bat.

Hmmm.... Not sure I would say it that way. I think of it more as an optional "courtesy" that the PU may wish to provide on occasion.

In other words do it if you can but don't do it if it means taking your eye off the ball or being out of position. ...

I certainly agree with this part.

JM

[noumpere]

I didnt need to go to pro school to learn this and I think that most will agree with what you said

[LMSANS]

I was working a legion game a couple fo years ago. HT coach is a former AAA umpire & ball player, and a very good coach. I was solo as my partner didn't show up. HT in the middle of a rally, multiple runners, extra base hit, bat on 3B line.

I had my hands full with all the activity.

Coach is correcting the ODB about helping the runner with slide/no slide.

ODB "I was getting the bat out of the way"

HC "That's the umpires job! yours is to help the runner..."

This guy is also a friend of mine...I say "really Jack? With all that's going on I have to move the bat, too?"

HC "If you had gone to pro school you would know that Larry."

Then I remembered when I went to a JEAPU clinic, they did talk about, in the context that has been mentioned. There was even a drill that covered moving the bat specifically.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Live ball, play the bounce.

No one has the responsibility to move the bat during the continuous action of the play.

JM

It not the Umpire primary responsibility, but a secondary one..

here is the acronym to know

N. Is it necessary?

A. Is it available?

P. Is it possible?

[Haid D' Salaami]

Live ball, play the bounce.

No one has the responsibility to move the bat during the continuous action of the play.

JM

That includes umpires. It burns me to see guys who make a priority out of moving a bat, That is so far down the list that unless it is super convenient I'm not touching it.

And while I'm on the subject. If you find yourself moving a bat keep it on the ground. Don't you go slinging it to the backstop.

Warren at school, they want you to slide it on the ground behind you all the way to the backstop, so that way it is completely out of harms way.

[JaxRolo]

Sling the bat at the on-deck batter. Maybe next time he will move it himself.

[mjr_2013]

This was brought up at an ASA softball clinic I attended... While softball differs from baseball in many ways, I agree with them on this:

"Move the bat only if you believe it could come in play, and only if you can do so while keeping the entirety of the play in front of you. Never sacrifice distance or angle to get a bat out of the way."

[Rich Ives]

Sling the bat at the on-deck batter. Maybe next time he will move it himself.

Then we'd have to eject you for slinging a bat. ;-)

[Rich Ives]

Going to an AA Eastern League game tomorrow - I'll try to remember to keep track of who does what with a dropped bat.

[Texarkana]

The one situation I move a bat is if I believe I have a play at home and a bat is in a position where I believe someone could get hurt runing or sliding in (or catcher falling on it). I usually keep watching the field and will roll it toward the backstop using my foot or heal.

[3rdGENump]

I have seen two umpires get the bat tangled up in their feet/legs trying to move it out of the way. If I don't have time to bend down and pick it up, it is going to stay right where it is at.

[Texarkana]

I have seen two umpires get the bat tangled up in their feet/legs trying to move it out of the way. If I don't have time to bend down and pick it up, it is going to stay right where it is at.

Thank gosh in almost 30 years that has not happened.

[mstaylor]

Catchers will move it more often than not. I was taught to clear it if possible by grads from both JEA and Harry's. If you clear it, slide it don't throw it or kick it.

[noumpere]

I was thinking about this thread the other night at my game so I was paying attention. 4 such opportunities arose. twice the catcher moved it and twice I moved it. It wasnt a race, just the way the play developed. Much ado about nothing.

[mstaylor]

I agree noumpire, if you can get it, fine. If the catcher can get it, even better. The best is the ODB getting it. He is going to be there to help the runner, but that is all he has to do. The catcher is calling cuts, the umpire is watching touches and other things, the ODB has to pick the runner up after the third base coach releases him. However, if it doesn't get moved, so be it.