Thrown bat dropped third strike

Lightning said:

OP here. I guess my problem with the call is that the bat was flung with pretty good velocity - this batter tends to release the bat at the end of her swing, so I often see the coach at the entry of the third base have to jump out of the way, or sometimes the on-deck batter has to run. But this time because the batter did a sort-of pirouette on her front foot, and she turned enough that when she released the bat it was headed behind her instead of to foul territory on the third base side. The bat didn't slide out of her hand toward the ground but was airborne and if the catcher had not moved it would have hit her in the head.

The batter's coach doesn't seem to have a problem with the thrown bat, and coach waved off the ump every time he suggested that coach talk to his player about holding on to the bat (she flung it several times during the game).

To me it seems like a huge safety problem, especially at their age, but I guess the only way to deal with it is to ask the league to make a house rule against throwing bats.

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MTR said:

So now you are changing the circumstances surrounding the game?

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Lightning said:

I'm not. My first post described one particular at bat and the other added information about other at bats. In a game that went six innings with only 8 girls playing, she had multiple at bats.

I get it. You don't care if she throws her bat. I accept that.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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MTR said:

Apparently, you don't. And there was no mention of other instances at bat. The OP noted the bat "slipping" out of the batter's hands with no mention of her having a penchant for releasing the bat as you noted in the later post. Getting a complete story would have been helpful in providing accurate responses and "thoughts" that fit you inquiry.

If this is a routine for the batter, she shouldn't have been allowed in the BB after the second event.

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Chris8 said:

MTR- given the new/additional information-

1) how would/should this have been handled from a umpires perspective? What is the basis for not allowing the player in the BB?

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2) How would/should the opposing coach handle this issue?

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BTW my questions are not argumentative but I'd like to continue to build my knowledge and understanding. This forum hass been great for that...so in advance. Thanks!

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MTR said:

After the 2nd time, I would have informed the coached that for the safety of the other players and the umpire, she needs to be able to hold onto the bat or leave the game. When the coach asks me why I'm ejecting her (and that will be the question asked), I will simply tell him/her that she is not ejected, she just cannot continue to play in that game.



Don't know what, if anything the opposing coach would have to say

There is nothing in the rule book to specifically address this situation, but that is covered in Rule 10.1 which states, "The plate umpire shall have the authority to make decisions on any situations not specifically covered in these rules." This is not a clause umpires should take lightly as they are not meant to circumvent given rules, but to cover unusual circumstances such as this. As previously noted, this is a pure safety issue.

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Chris8 said:

MTR-thank you! Good stuff. Question #2 maybe I should have been more specific or phrased it better. If PU allowed player back into the BB should the opposing coach address the PU about the safety issue and how should that be handled.

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