Bat hits ball or vice versa?

[Herb]

Situation:

Batter bunts, ball hit home plate and bounces straight back up and hits bat while still in batter's hands; ball then goes into fair territory.

I called the batter out, but am not sure why or if I was correct. What if the bat had been released and hit the ball in mid-air? The more I think about it, the more confused I get.

Thanks

[mstaylor]

If the batter is still in the box then it's a foul ball.

[digo21]

Situation:

Batter bunts, ball hit home plate and bounces straight back up and hits bat while still in batter's hands; ball then goes into fair territory.

I called the batter out, but am not sure why or if I was correct. What if the bat had been released and hit the ball in mid-air? The more I think about it, the more confused I get.

Thanks

This is a very good and tricky question. Im curious to see what the answer to this is gonna be. It seems logical to say it would be foul, as the BR and bat are still in the batter box. Like you said however what do you do when it hits the bat a second time while it is in the air.

[mstaylor]

The dropping the bat question is a little more interesting. Normally when you think about a ball and bat hitting each other it is on the ground. In that case, if the ball hits the bat, play it. If the bat hit's ball, then it's interference and the batter is out. In the case of the bat dropping and the ball bouncing up it is less clearcut. I guess you would have to rule interference and call the batter out. To be honest I've never seen it happen.

[Mr Umpire]

To me, it depends on how it happens. Most of it depends on timing.

If the bat is still pretty close to the batter's hands, I will just call it foul and base my judgment on he still had it in his hands when contact was made.

If it is so obvious he doesn't have it in his hands, then go with MST's answer. B/c the bat is still in motion and if the ball is in fair territory, then there is a rule for that and it is called INT. But, I would look real hard to see this. B/c, calling him out on INT for this is the wrong end of the stick so it better be very obvious the ball is in fair territory. If is not obvious, then I am calling a foul ball.

The odds of this happening are slim b/c everything happens very quickly so the batter will more than likely still have the bat in his hands and be a foul ball.

[Herb]

MST's answer is too simplistic to me. Part of the batter's box is in fair territory and the ball did not hit the batter, it hit the bat. I feel better that the answer is not clear cut to you experts.

[Mr Umpire]

Actually, it is pretty clear cut(rule 6.05(h) in OBR. And, I think my answer and MST's says it. Nobody said part of the box was not in fair territory. And, all have acknowledged it hitting the bat, not the batter.

Again, is the bat in motion when it hits the ball a second time in fair territory? It is since it is in mid-air so the rule is INT since the bat hit the ball in fair territory.

If the ball is in foul territory, then it is a foul ball minus any intent.

Like I said, the bat better clearly be out of the batter's hands and the ball better clearly be in fair territory. It's not a matter of whether or not we "experts" agreed on it or not b/c MST and I agree to call INT. It is a matter of you better be right without any doubt of where the bat is and where the ball is. B/c if you call an out, you are going to have an argument and when all motion stops, the bat and ball may not be in a position to reference them for the coach to understand why you made that call.

So, foul if in foul territory. INT if in fair territory and you better be absolutely sure it is in fair territory. But, to me, calling this is the wrong end unless the ball is well in front of the plate so it is obvious the bat is in fair territory when struck again by the ball.

Edited May 18, 2009 by Mr Umpire

[mstaylor]

If the batter is in the box and contacts the ball a second time, it's foul, it is that simple. Now if the bat isn't in his hands there is no rule specific enough to call it one way or the definitively. If you notice in my answer I prefaced it with I guess. I like Mr. Umpire's thought if it is close to his hands, go with foul. If lower go with interference. I was thinking about something along the same thing but couldn't find a way to convey it.

[digo21]

If the batter is in the box and contacts the ball a second time, it's foul, it is that simple. Now if the bat isn't in his hands there is no rule specific enough to call it one way or the definitively. If you notice in my answer I prefaced it with I guess. I like Mr. Umpire's thought if it is close to his hands, go with foul. If lower go with interference. I was thinking about something along the same thing but couldn't find a way to convey it.

I was rifling through the OBR for this one and Rule 6.05(h) would agree with Mr.Ump however if that bat is dropped in fair territory and the ball rolls and hits the bat. It is considered a live ball unless the PU feels there was intention to interfere. Gotta love how tricky baseball can be.

[Dragon29]

Part of the batter's box is in fair territory . . .

Aside from all mstaylor's & Mr Umpire's comments (with which I completely agree) I would advise you not get too hung up on this.

Yes, we all know there's a corner of each batter's box that is fair but don't go looking to call it that way or you'll have a lot of 'splainin' to do. If the action takes place in the batter's box, call it foul.

The only time, IMHO, the fair corners of the batter's box should be taken into consideration is if a batted ball initially lands in one of these corners and then continues down a line and remains fair.

[mstaylor]

The only time the little corners need to be considered is if a batted comes to rest in one of them.