This happened yesterday in a12u game. The opposing batter bunted and the ball and while running to first dropped the bat just inside fair territory about five feet from the plate. the bunted ball was popped up enough that it produced backspin, so that when it landed it rolled into the bat and the bat blocked the ball from rolling foul. The catcher then got her feet tangled in the bat trying to pick up the ball. Umpire ruled in this a hit. Was he right? BTW, this was the only hit the pitcher allowed in six innings. Was she robbed of a no-hitter?
Ball hits bat dropped in fair territory
- Thread starter jacman
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An umpire needs to clarify, but my understanding is that a bat is part of the field unless it is still being held/carried by a batter, or unless it is still moving (falling, rolling, etc.). If the bat is moving, then batter is responsible and is out. If it is just lying there still, then it's part of the field, and the ball in your case is fair.
In any event, the umpire can call the ball fair, but it would be the scorekeeper's job to rule it a hit or error. Sounds like a hit.
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- Aug 6, 2013
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OUT Dead Ball -
If bat was stationary then ball hit bat and play stands.
If bat was moving then bat hit ball. Double hit resulting in immediate dead ball batter/runner is out, etc.
If bat was moving then bat hit ball. Double hit resulting in immediate dead ball batter/runner is out, etc.
Coogan and Riseball have it right.
It happened very quickly, but the but was likely stationary. It was dropped and not slung. Unfortunate way to give up a hit, but I'm glad the right call was made.
- May 30, 2011
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Only if the bat hits the ball. If the ball rolls into a discarded bat in fair territory it's just a live ball play on. The batted ball will be ruled fair or foul once it stops or is touched by a player i.e. just like any other batted ball.
The OP sounds more like the latter; blue got it right. F1 will have to be happy with one-hitter win.
Back in the old days baseball ( bear with me--this also applies to softball) some players would bunt a ball in the air and then hit it for power.
To stop this a rule was instated that if the bat hits the ball a second time then the ball is dead and the batter is out.
An unintended consequence of this is what to call in an accidental situation--usually on a bunt--where there is double contact.
So--the question is--did the bat roll into the ball--or did the ball roll into the bat??
In the former the batter is out since the bat hit the ball a second time.
In the later it is play on--unless the bat itself interferes with a fielder trying to field the ball.
To stop this a rule was instated that if the bat hits the ball a second time then the ball is dead and the batter is out.
An unintended consequence of this is what to call in an accidental situation--usually on a bunt--where there is double contact.
So--the question is--did the bat roll into the ball--or did the ball roll into the bat??
In the former the batter is out since the bat hit the ball a second time.
In the later it is play on--unless the bat itself interferes with a fielder trying to field the ball.
So how about a situation in which a batter reaches to bunt a low pitch, and the ball goes straight down from the bat, hits the ground, and bounces up and hits the bat. Is that ball hits bat, dead ball foul? Or is that considered bat hits ball a second time, dead ball out?
Dead ball foul.
ASA has 3 exceptions to the rule for hitting the ball a second time.
1. Your example where the bat is still in the batter's hands and the batter is still in their box. FWIW, this would also apply in MT 73's story if the batter is still in the box.
2. OP's case where the bat is dropped and the ball rolls against the bat. This also has to be unintentional.
3. When contact is made on the follow through after missing the pitch on the initial swing - dead ball strike.
ASA has 3 exceptions to the rule for hitting the ball a second time.
1. Your example where the bat is still in the batter's hands and the batter is still in their box. FWIW, this would also apply in MT 73's story if the batter is still in the box.
2. OP's case where the bat is dropped and the ball rolls against the bat. This also has to be unintentional.
3. When contact is made on the follow through after missing the pitch on the initial swing - dead ball strike.
