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Online now: 2 members: Ferg44, TABLE SETTER 11; 110 anonymousDiscussion: Batter Throwing a Bat
| Posted | Discussion |
| Feb. 7, 2017 Steve in Tucson Men's 70 22 posts | Batter Throwing a Bat We have a situation where a batter normally does not lay the bat down but instead throws the bat after hitting the ball. He doesn't do this in anger, or to intentionally harm anyone or interfere with a play but it does sometimes cause a potential hazard to the plate umpire and/or catcher. Our plate umpire warned the player to not throw the bat and the second time he did it, he called the batter out for throwing it. The second time, it did contact the catcher but did not hurt him. The batter doesn't agree with the call and has asked what rule covers this situation. I have reviewed the rule book but can not find any wording to cover this situation. I agree with my umpire for calling the batter out, but can not site the rule that covers this situation. Can anyone help me with this or tell me what I'm missing? Thanks. |
| Feb. 7, 2017 B.J. 1107 posts | I umpired a mens senior league and had the same problem...this is a safety issue for the HP umpire and the catcher...I explained that I would have to eject him if he released the bat backwards toward me and the catcher... The player was a nice guy but just could not hold onto the bat... I did eject him that game ...the way he solved his problem was that he actually tied a cord around his wrist and the handle of the bat and after hitting the ball he would run down the 1st base line shaking the cord off his wrist and a couple times ended up with a bruise on his shins from tripping on the bat as he flailed it off his wrist...I let him play figuring he was the only one that could get hurt this way |
| Feb. 7, 2017 marcster13 102 posts | Dying laughing at........ "after hitting the ball he would run down the 1st base line shaking the cord off his wrist and a couple times ended up with a bruise on his shins from tripping on the bat as he flailed it off his wrist." When I first started playing in ASA, the catcher used to have to wear a helmet for times like this. |
| Feb. 7, 2017 Brad25 Men's 50 5 posts | There is actually no rule in any assoc that says a batter must let go of the bat any particular way. The umpire can eject a player for throwing the bat under the unsportsmanlike conduct. But just letting the bat go after hitting no. As an umpire I have given many warnings, and most comply when explained of the problems, but never ejected a batter for that. |
| Feb. 7, 2017 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Can't believe a guy is playing senior softball and still throwing his bat. I learned this rule in sand lot baseball about 65 years ago! How many times has someone shouted DON'T THROW THE BAT! whether that be the umpire, the batter, the catcher, or the coach. Usually takes about a month of thoughtful attention to relearn a new habit of not throwing the bat. As to tying it on one's wrist, I wouldn't want to be a first baseman as the batter comes stumbling down the line with the bat whipping every which way. I'd fee safer if he just carried the bat and didn't drop it. For that there is also no prohibition as we learned on this forum a few years ago. |
| Feb. 7, 2017 Steve in Tucson Men's 70 22 posts | Thank you all for your comments and guidance. I agree with you all and can't shake the picture in my mind of someone running to first with a bat dangling from his wrist. To close, I have told the player it is a safety issue and asked him to learn to lay the bat down or just drop it to set an example. He plays at the highest level of play in our association and the lower level players look up to us as examples. Yeah, maybe shame will work! |
| Feb. 8, 2017 B.J. 1107 posts | Brad25...actually there is a catch-all in the code of ethics front of the rulebook... Article 7: Not commit any act that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. I would definitely consider someone who has repeatedly been warned about releasing the bat toward the umpire and catcher to be unsportmanlike and a definite safety issue |
| Feb. 8, 2017 HAT MAN Men's 50 229 posts | I would agree its under the unsportsmanlike rule. While the intent was not intentional once warned by the umpire he is now aware of doing the same thing can pose a risk of injury. Knowing this and making the same action now constitutes intent. Just like a catcher standing too close to a batter the ump will ask him to move back for safety, the catcher once warned is posing s risk to himself and the umpire must react to protect his safety. In USSSA you could use travesty of the game if after warned batte makes no attempt to rectify. |
| Feb. 8, 2017 stever Men's 70 99 posts | When I was in high school our coach taught us to always toss the bat a couple of steps down the first base line after we hit the ball. That way it was no danger to a play around the plate or the catcher or umpire. Drilled that into us and I would be willing to bet any of my teammates still playing are still doing it that way. I know I do it without even thinking. This player can learn a new habit if he is so motivated. If not, then perhaps he doesn't need to be playing because of his disregard for other players safety. |
| Feb. 22, 2017 Paul P Men's 65 53 posts | stever: I do the same thing, even though if my teammates are on the third base side, it irks them. A habit I am unwilling to break! |
| Feb. 23, 2017 stick8 1992 posts | In USSSA anyone that throws a bat in anger or frustration is automatically ejected. We also have a local bat flip rule. If a player executes an obvious bat flip (meant to show off) the play continues--delayed dead ball signal. Once the play is over the batter is called out but the result of the play stands. In the scenario described by Steve in Tucson, it happened to me. I was playing with a bum shoulder for part of the season last year. A couple time I accidently flung the bat backwards hitting the catcher and umpire. They were pissed!!! So what I did was carry the bat part of the way down first and then dropped it. |
