Moving the bat...who is responsible?

[texasck1]

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.

You're right. I take it all back. I remembered that my DD laid down a bunt this weekend and looked back at the video. She dropped the bat when she hit it.

 

[marriard]

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.

I was taught not to touch the bat - and that has been reinforced at every clinic I have attended when the subject came up.

Not just because of playing reasons, but mainly because the umpire is meant to be doing other things. On a deep fly ball you already should be out towards the circle to get a view of the catch, and then you are moving into position to ready for possible plays at third or home (depending on the situation) - all while keeping track of where the ball, and where the runners are so you can predict what could happen and be ready to move. Not stopping that to move a bat.

 

[flash277]

I was taught not to touch the bat - and that has been reinforced at every clinic I have attended when the subject came up.

Not just because of playing reasons, but mainly because the umpire is meant to be doing other things. On a deep fly ball you already should be out towards the circle to get a view of the catch, and then you are moving into position to ready for possible plays at third or home (depending on the situation) - all while keeping track of where the ball, and where the runners are so you can predict what could happen and be ready to move. Not stopping that to move a bat.

Let me ask you marriad brother, say there was a play where you had time to move a bat but didn’t, and a runner from third ran into it and broke her leg, you’d be good with that?....”Oh well not my job to move it”. Like I said before, if I could move it I would, if I miss something by doing that, so be it, not sure what kind of coach would argue that over player safety.

 

[EdLovrich]

Let me ask you marriad brother, say there was a play where you had time to move a bat but didn’t, and a runner from third ran into it and broke her leg, you’d be good with that?....”Oh well not my job to move it”. Like I said before, if I could move it I would, if I miss something by doing that, so be it, not sure what kind of coach would argue that over player safety.

Flash, let's look at it the other way. You DO try to move the bat and don't quite get it clear and the same runner runs into it a breaks a leg. Now, are you going to be ok with that? Plus, do you think DF might just give a thought to speed dialing that attorney on retainer?

 

[flash277]

Ah good point....Shame it always comes down to that.

 

[EdLovrich]

Shame it always comes down to that.

Unfortunately, even though it isn't at the top of what you are thinking when one umpires, it is always tickling at the back of your brain, especially when you are doing this sort of 'what if' discussion away from the diamond.

 

[marriard]

Let me ask you marriad brother, say there was a play where you had time to move a bat but didn’t, and a runner from third ran into it and broke her leg, you’d be good with that?....”Oh well not my job to move it”. Like I said before, if I could move it I would, if I miss something by doing that, so be it, not sure what kind of coach would argue that over player safety.

Yep, I would be good because this is absolutely what we are taught to do and there are very good reasons for the umpire not to touch any equipment.

In the CCA/NCCA Umpires Mechanics it is addressed directly:
After the Ball is Hit
• ...other duites deleted
• Never touch any team equipment (for example, discarded bat).

There are other people there who are in a much better position to move the bat who don't have ongoing play responsibilities. - on-deck batter, catcher, other fielders, etc. I have things to do through the whole play.

 

[Eric F]

It's the catcher's domain. The ump is just there to confirm that all the pitches are strikes and all the tags are outs.

 

[EdLovrich]

The ump is just there to confirm that all the pitches are strikes and all the tags are outs.

WOOT WOOOT!!! My life just got SO much easier

 

[Eric F]

WOOT WOOOT!!! My life just got SO much easier

Happy to help.