Had a play in a tournament this WE. Bases loaded 2 outs. Batter walks and jogs to first base holding the bat. Touches first holding bat. Umpire calls runner out for having bat in his hands, but lets the run count because its a "Dead Ball Out".
Is this the correct call and is there a rule about carrying the bat to first base?
Under SSUSA sanction and rules, the only accurate description is: BLOWN CALL! ... There is NO prohibition in the SSUSA rule book covering carrying a bat to 1B (or all the way around the diamond) ... Other associations may prohibit this, but not SSUSA ... On a related issue, the umpire was also faking it on the analysis of the run scoring ... The correct call should have been: Base on balls, run forced in from third, bases still loaded and still two outs ...
In SSUSA play the batter-runner is NOT OUT when touching 1st base with the bat in their hands.
Thx Dave
That is what I thought. We were playing Florida Half Century and I could not find it in their rules.
I guess I better find out what they go by if they do not have a written rule.
Mich Vet .. I umpired FHC for many years and yes they do have a rule that states the batter must discard his bat before reaching 1st base or be called out.. I'm not sure why he allowed the run though.. if the batter never reached 1st base safely then it's the 3rd out of the inning no run should score .. I wouldn't consider this a time play.. I'd bring it up with their board/UIC and find out for sure
BJ - It is in the Half Century Rules, a walk is a Dead Ball. Cannot be called out for carrying bat to 1st base. It is rule L9.
Check it out.
MV.. yup just read it .. yeah I umpired them about 10 yrs ago ... but #8 states
8. A runner that does not discard his bat before reaching first base shall be called out. ...
so if the team had the (limit) 7th run on 3rd and the batter hit a single to the OF and carried his bat to 1st he would be out for the 3rd out and I believe no run would score??
no idea why they would have 2 versions on carrying the bat to 1B
