Moving the bat...who is responsible?

[Quigs10]

A couple things going on in this play. My 12u DD (the runner) is coming home and ....ummm. hey umpire...or catcher...forget to move something? DD had to somehow get over the bat left lying there and also avoid the catcher who's standing right on home plate without the ball. Luckily, she avoided both and nobody got hurt.

Shouldn't the umpire kick or pick up the bat out of the way? The ball was driven to RCF wall...he had plenty of time.

 

[EdLovrich]

Shouldn't the umpire kick or pick up the bat out of the way? The ball was driven to RCF wall...he had plenty of time.

Under normal circumstances, an umpire will TRY to remove bats that are a hazard. On-deck batter could, catcher could. This year, in Michigan, there is a directive that umpires are NOT to touch equipment due to Covid and cross contamination (//sarcasm on//thank you Gov Whitmer//sarcasm off//). Possibly the situation here if this is a school game?

 

[Quigs10]

Under normal circumstances, an umpire will TRY to remove bats that are a hazard. On-deck batter could, catcher could. This year, in Michigan, there is a directive that umpires are NOT to touch equipment due to Covid and cross contamination (//sarcasm on//thank you Gov Whitmer//sarcasm off//). Possibly the situation here if this is a school game?

Agree about the on deck hitter as a possibility, but seems like that player is the farthest away at that point. Seems the ump would be the best option. Does the Mich rule prohibit them from touching the softballs as well? Here in So Cal it was like that a few months ago, but now the umps have the softballs in their pouch as usual.

As my DD came down the line, that's all I could think about was "Oh, s#it ! The bat!" I've seen a few girls over the years slide right onto the bat left there and got hurt.

 

[Greatdaytobeawildcat]

Shouldn't the umpire kick or pick up the bat out of the way?

No.

I kick the bat out of the way...and the ball gets overthrown...and the catcher trips over the bat that’s now over by the dugout....or the ball hits the bat and hits it out of play (or keeps it in play).

The bat is now part of the field. It is not the umpire’s responsibility.

 

[3afan]

No.
...
The bat is now part of the field. It is not the umpire’s responsibility.

^^^^^^^ 100% correct ^^^^^^^

 

[Mike Hurd]

Umpires should NEVER move the bat. it is part of the field of play. I have been taught this in almost every clinic I have been to.

 

[quincy]

DD was on-deck and picked the bat up during a play to get it out of the way. Umpire yelled a her to stay off the field. Last time that happened, umpire was correct.

If C wants to get it out of the way fine but in general umpire should just ignore it.

 

[inumpire]

I am not touching the bat. Not the umpires responsibility to move the bat, just as Mike Hurd stated.

 

[BrianTx01]

Ideally the hitter would not drop their bat there.

 

[EdLovrich]

Ideally the hitter would not drop their bat there.

IDEALLY, there are three three-pitch Ks, then lead-off hitter for H team goes yard, then 36 more Ks......(Hey, umpires have dreams too)