Thrown Bat, Part 2

 
Question 1: What does the umpire do if the bat is thrown during the middle of an at bat (such as on a foul ball or a swinging strike on the first pitch)?
 
Call
Still not an out! The team is warned. If the team had already been warned, the batter is ejected and replaced with a legal substitute.

 
Question 2: What if there are no legal substitutes available in the above situation?
 
Call
The usual substitution and ejection rules and penalties apply in this situation.


Question 3: What about a deliberately thrown bat?
 
Call
The player is ejected and replaced with a legal substitute (but still not an out for throwing the bat!)


Question 4: What if the bat is thrown into fair territory and interferes with fielder trying to make a play?
 
Call
This is treated the same as any other offensive interference (here is where we may have out declared!).


Question 5: When using wooden bats, can a broken bat be considered a thrown bat?
 
Call
The top half of the broken bat is not considered a thrown bat. The bottom half of a broken bat (the part with the handle) is considered a thrown bat and the same penalties apply.


Question 6: Can the defense ever get a "carelessly thrown bat" team warning or ejection?
 
Call
Yes, but it is rare. For example, if after the ball gets put in play, the catcher tries to "help" by clearing the bat out of the way. If the bat is thrown by the catcher and hits (or nearly hits) an umpire or a player on either team -- we have a thrown bat and the normal penalties apply.