You make the call; You're gonna love this.

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Sideliner was incorrect when he thought the ump had picked up the bat--it was actually the player who had come home first. It is, in fact, the umpire's obligation to clear the bat from the baseline if it could pose a danger to players. I have seen many, many umps ignore this obligation, resulting in players sliding into bats or stepping on bats and sustaining serious injuries. All the ump had to do while he was standing at home and watching a girl run from first to home on a gapper (for example) is to bend over, grab the bat and toss it to the backstop or over to the dugout. There's no need to even take an eye off the play. This is not just a good idea; it's absolutely the umpire's duty.

Failing to do this is just another example of the overall lack of hustle I've witnessed from umpires all summer-- especially ASA umpires -- at some of Ohio's top tournaments.

 

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Kind of ironic with a signature line about "ignoring the truth and living a lie"...

No, there is nothing in the rule book or umpire manual about the umpire clearing the bat. So it really isn't "the umpire's obligation". The players are responsible for their own equipment and any discarded piece of equipment that was being used in the game just becomes part of the playing field.

In fact, I have heard many compelling arguments why an umpire should never touch a bat.

- What if the umpire is holding the bat in his hand, makes a signal or has to move suddenly and it hits a player?

- What if the umpire tosses the bat aside and it hits a player?

- What if the umpire kicks or tosses the bat aside and it winds up under the feet of a different player who trips over it?

- What if he moves the bat to give the runner an approach to the plate, but inadvertantly moves it somewhere where it could impede the catcher from making a play?

- What if he moves the bat for one team on one play, but fails to move it for the other on another play (either because he was busy watching something else, or didn't notice it)?

- What if he tosses aside some kid's precious $300 bat and chips, dents or damages it, rendering it unusable in a game?

Not moving a bat has nothing to do with "hustle". It has everything to do with living in a litigious society that would be quick to blame the umpire if something goes wrong, not wanting to accidently cause harm to another player, not wanting to unintentionally impede one side from making a play while aiding the other, not giving one team any reason to believe that you helped their opponent while not extending them the same courtesy and not possibly damaging another person's expensive piece of property.