Equipment


Assuming that you must enforce the new high school bat rules, how would you answer the following three questions:

1. The lead-off batter enters the batter's box with a bat labeled BESR but no BBCOR labeling:

A. The umpire instructs the batter to take that bat off the field and return with a legal bat
B. The batter is immediately out and the coach is restricted to the bench
C. The batter is out only after he puts the ball in play
D. The batter is immediately out and the coach is ejected.

Call
B: In NFHS, the batter is out and the coach is restricted to the bench (4-1-3b). In MCBA, this rule is enforced differently. Ray will be sending out guidance later in March.


2. The lead-off batter enters the batter's box with helmet that has one ear flap partially broken off:

A. Since the ear flap does not face the pitcher, it is legal
B. The umpire instructs the batter to take the helmet off the field and return with a legal helmet
C. The batter is immediately out and the coach is restricted to the bench.
D. The batter is immediately out and the coach is ejected.

Call
B: The batter must replace the broken helmet with a legal helmet (4-1-3b). There are no other penalties.


3. Runner on first and third, no out. The batter hits into a 6-4-3 double play scoring the runner at third. At the conclusion of the double play, the catcher hands the umpire the bat and says it looks different. There is a BESR label, but no BBCOR label.

A. Since the batter was put out, the illegal bat is ignored.
B. The batter is declared out and the runners are returned to first and third.
C. The double play stands, but the runner at third cannot advance, so he is returned to third.
D. The defensive coach has the option of letting the play stand (2 outs and run scores) or "B" above.

Call
D: The defense may take the result of the play or the illegal equipment penalty (7-4-1a).