Bat rolling and shaving

[fasterpitch92701]

The ump checking the bat does not absolve the bad owner or the company/person that rolled the bat from liability. It is absurd to believe that the ump can or should have the ability to "proof" every bat. If you want to claim that is the best process, be prepared to pay a couple hundred bucks per bat per game for a portable lab to inspect/xray/weigh/test each bat. Absurd? Yes, but that is what it would take if you want to have field inspections that assume liability. And, yes, per game depending on the bat quarantine procedures. Hey, sounds like a heck of a business opportunity !!

Reality is that the person playing with the bat, the person who paid for having the bat modified and the person doing the modification should be made liable. Passing off the responsibility to the ump is not a viable tact.

[MTR]

I may be mistaken but don't the ASA rules call for a lifetime ban of a player using a modified bat?

You are mistaken, it is a minimum two-year suspension. Not sure, but this wording may be to give ASA leverage to garner more information with the possibility of a longer period of suspension.

Article 510.M.06

[MTR]

After I've inspected equipment that the teams display and asked the coaches during the plate conference if their players are legally and properly equipped,

Myth. Why do so many umpires think that actually means something or absolves them of any liability?

How would the umpire be liable if the equipment check prior to the start of the game was legal upon inspection and the coaches verbally acknowledged their players were legally and properly equipped?

I was referring to an umpire's belief that this statement actually has some sort of standing. It doesn't. Other than with NFHS, and even there, it isn't worth the breath used to utter the question.

BTW, during any liability suit, the authority figure on the field is always going to be included whether it makes any sense or not. Due diligence of a proper equipment check would go much farther in clearing the umpire than asking the coach.