Loose player equipment

[Guest Buck]

R2 and Batter gets a base hit to outfield. Batter drops the bat and runs to 1st base. Right fielder fields the ball and throw it home in an attempt to get R2 out who is advancing towards home. The ball bounces and hits the bat lying on the ground in or near the batters box. Is this a dead ball? If so, is anyone called out? Or are runners returned to last passed base?

[JonnyCat]

This is a live ball situation. Play on.

[Senor Azul]

2019 NFHS Case Book Play 8.4.1 Situation E:  With bases loaded, B4 hits a one-hopper to F5, who throws to the plate. The throw is off line and hits B4’s bat that had been tossed away from the plate by the umpire. Is this interference? RULING:  No. The bat in this situation is considered part of the playing field. Therefore, the ball remains alive.

[Thatsnotyou]

Bad break. If I can get to it right away, I always try to grab the bat and toss it behind me or to the side so this doesn't happen/one of the players doesn't turn an ankle stepping on it.

[Senor Azul]

From the 2018 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.36, p. 57):

If a thrown ball strikes a helmet or bat accidentally (no intent on part of runner to interfere) in fair or foul territory, the ball remains in play the same as if it had not hit the helmet or bat. If, in the umpire’s judgment, there is intent on the part of a base runner to interfere with a thrown ball by dropping his helmet or bat or by throwing either at the ball, then the runner would be out, the ball dead and runners would return to the last base legally touched.

2017-18 NCAA Rule 1-16d. All loose equipment (e.g., bats, gloves, chairs, etc.) must be kept in the dugout or in a clearly marked dead-ball area. If a pitched, batted or thrown ball touches equipment that is in live-ball territory, the ball remains live.

[Jimurray]

41 minutes ago, Thatsnotyou said:

Bad break. If I can get to it right away, I always try to grab the bat and toss it behind me or to the side so this doesn't happen/one of the players doesn't turn an ankle stepping on it.

Good catchers will usually clear the bat. If not is is an umpire courtesy, not required, to clear the bat, not by tossing it, but by sliding it clear of the play area. Necessary, available and possible are the criteria. I have seen an MLB umpire hold the bat rather than tossing it. You never know what's behind you so sliding is preferred rather than tossing.

[Thatsnotyou]

30 minutes ago, Jimurray said:

Good catchers will usually clear the bat. If not is is an umpire courtesy, not required, to clear the bat, not by tossing it, but by sliding it clear of the play area. Necessary, available and possible are the criteria. I have seen an MLB umpire hold the bat rather than tossing it. You never know what's behind you so sliding is preferred rather than tossing.

I used the term "toss" loosely. It's not a far toss. It's usually a cross between a toss and a slide, just to make sure I get enough distance that no one (including myself) will step on it when it stops its slide. It's either straight behind or towards the side of the defensive team (if 1B), as to not hit the on deck guy. I've also held it on occasion.

[yawetag]

Some will kick the bat with their foot. You only need it to move a few feet.

[Rook23]

I don't like the kick - never have. When I got started, my partner was a kicker. We worked a burst of games together and we debated this topic. We both held our ground and agreed to disagree until he kicked the barrel to clear a play at the plate in a game we worked together. However, the bat just rolled in circle and came right back and got in the way. The runner stepped on it and tumbled. He doesn't kick anymore.