Moving the bat...who is responsible?

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Jun 23, 2018
222
63
Texas
Have a related question. We played a team this weekend that plays a lot of small ball. Everyone of their players who bunted, and they are very good at it, looked like they were purposely laying the bat down right across the front of the plate between the catcher and ball. Obviously as the offensive teams parents it looked like dirty ball to us by purposely putting an trip hazard for the catcher to navigate. Opinions on that?
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
As a umpire I move the bat if I could, I don't want to see anyone get hurt, that's why. Although it would be good if a coach could teach the players to toss the bat in foul territory, it mostly affects the offensive player coming home. Somehow my DD developed it on her own, she hits the ball, then on her first few steps to first, she flips it in foul territory on the 1st base side.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
Have a related question. We played a team this weekend that plays a lot of small ball. Everyone of their players who bunted, and they are very good at it, looked like they were purposely laying the bat down right across the front of the plate between the catcher and ball. Obviously as the offensive teams parents it looked like dirty ball to us by purposely putting an trip hazard for the catcher to navigate. Opinions on that?
Nothing illegal about that, actually good strategy.....
 
Feb 13, 2021
880
93
MI
Nothing illegal about that, actually good strategy.....
Might even have a downside for the offense, depending on how 'carefully' they place the bat. C starts rising earlier and moving forward you end up with a 'that's nothing' entanglement with the batter.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
My DD tends to clear bats near the plate out of the way because they might interfere with her making a defensive play at the plate.
 

radness

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Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Have a related question. We played a team this weekend that plays a lot of small ball. Everyone of their players who bunted, and they are very good at it, looked like they were purposely laying the bat down right across the front of the plate between the catcher and ball. Obviously as the offensive teams parents it looked like dirty ball to us by purposely putting an trip hazard for the catcher to navigate. Opinions on that?
Screenshot_2021-03-31-09-45-55-1.png

Screenshot_2021-03-31-09-46-13-1.png
 
Aug 1, 2019
962
93
MN
Have a related question. We played a team this weekend that plays a lot of small ball. Everyone of their players who bunted, and they are very good at it, looked like they were purposely laying the bat down right across the front of the plate between the catcher and ball. Obviously as the offensive teams parents it looked like dirty ball to us by purposely putting an trip hazard for the catcher to navigate. Opinions on that?
Very possible the players were trained to lay the bat down. The reason may be to get in the way of the catcher, or it may be to prevent a rolling bat that makes contact with the ball on a short bunt, causing an out. Probably both.
 
Oct 4, 2018
4,611
113
Umpires absolutely do not touch the bat. You play around it or teach your on-deck player (or a player who just scored) to get it.
 
Oct 4, 2018
4,611
113
Have a related question. We played a team this weekend that plays a lot of small ball. Everyone of their players who bunted, and they are very good at it, looked like they were purposely laying the bat down right across the front of the plate between the catcher and ball. Obviously as the offensive teams parents it looked like dirty ball to us by purposely putting an trip hazard for the catcher to navigate. Opinions on that?

I'm inclined to think y'all are reading too much into it. Get on the field and lay down a bunt and book it to first base. Your bat probably gets dropped right about where theirs do.
 
May 1, 2018
659
63
Bat - Could it have been moved sure, are they responsible for doing it no.
Plate - Clear and open path to the front of the plate, where she slid into.
 

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