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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, dawg888; 88 anonymousDiscussion: Carrying bat to first base
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| June 9, 2021 Rumplestilskin 7 posts | Carrying bat to first base In our game today a runner was called out for carrying the bat past first base, even though the umpire originally called him safe. The League President stated that the SSUSA rules prohibit carrying a bat to or past first base. I have not located such a rule. Fortunately, the call made no difference since one of our players hit a three run homer out of the park with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. But I would like to know if such a rule exists for the future. |
| June 9, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Your League President has misstated the SSUSA's position on this, by a factor of 180° ... There is no prohibition in the SSUSA Rulebook against carrying a bat to (or beyond) first base ... |
| June 9, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | DD - often you suggest that posters on this website make suggestions to be reviewed by the rules committees of the different softball associations, this may be a quite easy change to current SSUSA rule book: batter must, drop bat prior to arriving at first base. Nothing positive could happen with batter with bat in hand arriving at first base on a close call. Just a suggestion that could eliminate a lot of differences of opinion, especially those that have “their own set of rules”. But one day might prevent an injury or a really difficult decision including interference, thanks for looking into this one. |
| June 9, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | T2 ... I don't recall ever suggesting that posters make rules suggestions to other associations, simply because I don't have a dog in that fight ... But I often do as it relates to the SSUSA National Rules Committee ... In my more than a decade as a member of that committee, I also don't recall such a rule recommendation being presented to us for possible consideration ... For the sake of theoretical discussion, probably every situation I have seen where a batter is carrying his bat, it's in the context of knowing he's about to be easily put out, for example, having hit an easy come-backer to the pitcher or a lazy and sure-to-be-caught pop up ... We just don't see a batter-runner charging down the line, bat in both hands, like he's about to deliver an NHL-worthy forechecking smack down on the first baseman ... It still remains, in my personal view, representing only one lone vote on the NRC, an insignificant non-issue, unworthy of change, even IF there were 7 votes (of 13) in favor ... There are not ... |
| June 9, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | Pardon - I did only mean to have applicable to SSUSA only. I don’t envision the batter being violent either, just an unnecessary opportunity for something to go wrong with a piece of equipment in the wrong place. |
| June 9, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | To illustrate the absurdity of that probability, how many times, by comparison, does that same bat slip out of the batter's hands and create a risk of injury to a catcher, umpire, on deck batter or, occasionally, a fan? ... By extension of that (il)logic, maybe your desire to legislate against the highly improbable should begin in the batter's box rather than down the 1st base foul line? ... I remain unconvinced this is anything more than a total non-issue ... There is zero chance there are seven votes on the NRC, as currently populated, in favor of change on this matter ... |
| June 10, 2021 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | SSUSA uses the same rule as USA Softball (formerly ASA) which is the oldest softball association, and they haven't seen a need to change it. The only confusion comes from players who are used to other associations' rule. I always explain (in fun) that a player is allowed to carry the bat as long as they want as long as he doesn't hit anybody with it. I have never seen anyone carry the bat past first or do anything that would harm anyone else. Turning2, I have only ever seen Dave suggest that if a person has a rule change suggestion that they submit it through the actual submission process. He has probably said a thousand times that no actions are taken by posts on this site on any subject. |
| June 10, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | No problem from my end. I see you have a position and it’s well founded. |
| June 10, 2021 Wood_1966 Men's 55 164 posts | Unless the hitter is going to use the bat as a weapon against the 1st baseman (I have seen a lot of crazy stuff but not this!), what does it matter if they carry it to 1st? |
| June 11, 2021 Bob21 47 posts | If I get a hit to drive in the 5th run of an inning, I usually carry my bat to first base and touch. Many players do the same. As Dave has said, it's a non-issue. I'm more concerned about the left-handed batter who bats in front of me that drops his bat halfway down the first base line when we're the home team and I have to fetch it! |
| June 11, 2021 bullet Men's 55 146 posts | Funny that someone brought this up. Few years back i did carry my bat to 1st,on a fluke senior play.I thought i was out,our ump had no idea so i was safe. I did research it,since our league falls back to SSUSA rules.NOTHING exsisted,now our league who wants a rule for everything. They put in if you carry our bat over half way to 1st your are out. Proudly too say that rule of named after me. |
| June 12, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | NA or DD - where would one find form or other item to use for a suggestion, clarification, amendment, etc to the rules committee to be formally reviewed at next rules committee meeting? Not sure where to look, thanks, T2 |
| June 13, 2021 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | Dave may have more to add on the process, but you can either use snail mail or E-mail. If using the former, send to the national office, and include Attn: Rules Committee in the address. For the latter, send to info@seniorsoftball.com with Rules Committee in the subject. |
| June 13, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | That's about "it" Nancy ... But there IS a third option, which you have used personally, and that's to make an in-person appearance at the NRC public sessions during the Convention ... And it's probably worth repeating that Message Board commentary is specifically excluded from consideration for the Rules Committee Meeting Agenda ... The next time a Message Board item finds its way onto that Agenda would be a first in the entire 30± year history of SSUSA ... |
| June 13, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | DD - specifically why I asked for the proper procedure to have a rule to be reviewed, but yet once again you have to introduce unneeded and unappreciated sarcastic comments...............why? |
| June 13, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | T2 ... There was absolutely nothing sarcastic about my reply to Nancy ... She gave you two of the (only) three options for making a rules committee suggestion ... She failed to include the third option, which, as mentioned, she has utilized personally ... The admonition about M/B commentary has only been mentioned about 50± times over the years, and remains true ... But since you seem to see sarcasm where none exists, I'll make some obvious for you: Why should I attribute ANY credibility to you or have tolerance as Moderator for your confrontational attitude because, if you properly spelled your name in your poster information, are NOT a registered player with SSUSA, do NOT have any team affiliation, appear nowhere in our database records and, by all accounts, are just the classic example of an internet troll? ... ... Now it's your turn, certainly you won't disappoint ... |
