Expert: Dr. Mark R. Ambrose - 7/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Batter hits ball and ball hits bat second time over fair territory while one foot is still in the batters box. But the bat is out of batters hands. Did I make correct call . Batter out?

ANSWER: Hi w,

Yes
RS24. HITTING THE BALL A SECOND TIME.
B. If the bat is out of the batter’s hands, dropped or thrown, and it hits the ball a second time in fair territory, the ball is dead and the batter-runner is out.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Does it matter if she is in or out of the batters box?

Answer
Hi W,

I'm not sure I read your initial q correctly, I guess I assumed the bat hit the ball but maybe I'm incorrect.

If THE BAT hits the ball in fair territory, we have a dead ball, out, runners return to last base touched.

If THE BALL hits the bat on the ground in fair territory, the ball is either fair or foul depending on where the ball is 1st touched or settles.  If it is a fair ball we just play on.

In either case if the bat or ball is hit in foul territory it is a foul ball.

In or out of the bb doesn't matter.

Mark