Warming bat

[Bretman]

Here are case plays from the NFHS:

1.5.5 SITUATION A: During the umpires’ checking of equipment prior to the
game, it is observed that several bats are in warming devices. RULING: All bats
found in the warming devices are illegal and removed from the game.

1.5.5 SITUATION B: In the fourth inning after B3 hits a homerun, the plate
umpire notices while moving the bat from home plate that the barrel of the bat
feels extremely warm. The umpire then observes several other bats in the dugout
being stored in warming devices. RULING: B3 is ruled out and the head coach is
issued a warning. The next player not properly equipped will result in the player
and head coach being restricted to the dugout. All bats found in warming devices
are illegal and removed from the game. (3-6-1; 7-4-2)

These demonstrate that bat warming is illegal and not without penalties. However, I would have a hard time considering a player's body or part of her legal uniform as being "bat warming devices".

I really think that a "bat warming device" would be something beyond a player's own body temperature or clothing. Any heating from those sources would have to be so negligible that they have no measurable effect on the bat's performance. This rule should only apply to heat sources that appreciably heat the bat beyond ambient temperatures.

Who knows what this official has been told, read or how he interprets it. Maybe some "higher up" in his association has instructed his umpires to rule like this. Maybe this umpire was just being one of those dreaded "overly-officious officials".

But it still sounds like a pretty nutty ruling to me.

[Comp]

I can see both sides of the issue, but the fact of the matter is, the rule says that the bat can not be artificially warmed. It may or may not be stretching the intent of the rule, but in the original post it indicates that the coach had already been warned aobut it and then it was done again. Even if it was over officiating, once you have been warned about something it best not be done again or there is going to be consequences.

[Bretman]

Yeah, I didn't get into the whole "they were already warned" thing. That's kind of a gimme- once an umpire warns you about something you probably should make sure it doesn't happen again.

But it would be nice if you were getting warned about some real, actual rule instead of some made up malarkey. Sticking a bat in your shirt on a 50 degree day is going to have about as much effect on the bat as holding it in your hands while wearing a pair of batting gloves.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Yeah, I didn't get into the whole "they were already warned" thing. That's kind of a gimme- once an umpire warns you about something you probably should make sure it doesn't happen again.

But it would be nice if you were getting warned about some real, actual rule instead of some made up malarkey. Sticking a bat in your shirt on a 50 degree day is going to have about as much effect on the bat as holding it in your hands while wearing a pair of batting gloves.

I'm a Newby, so be gentle ... but the OP stats they were warned the previous night not during that game ... so I don't think that she can be restricted to the dugout ... Also: Is 'warming device' under a jersey? ... would a bat be 'exteremely warm' after being under a jersey ? ... Either all the facts are not being devulged or it is a call, as a Blue virgin, that I would NOT have made ....

[coolstuff]

I agree that warming the bat will prevent breakage, but I think that most people that warm bats are trying to get a hitting advantage.

Most people think it gives an advantage, and when we used one in a winning game, we patted ourselves on the back for our brilliant strategy. Then we lost a game when we couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, so that theory went out the window. The main advantage was that the batters preferred to hold a warm bat instead of a cold bat, and all the players huddled around the bat warmer every chance they got. So it was really a player-warmer, not a bat-warmer.

[umpinva]

Here are case plays from the NFHS:

1.5.5 SITUATION A: During the umpires’ checking of equipment prior to the
game, it is observed that several bats are in warming devices. RULING: All bats
found in the warming devices are illegal and removed from the game.

1.5.5 SITUATION B: In the fourth inning after B3 hits a homerun, the plate
umpire notices while moving the bat from home plate that the barrel of the bat
feels extremely warm. The umpire then observes several other bats in the dugout
being stored in warming devices. RULING: B3 is ruled out and the head coach is
issued a warning. The next player not properly equipped will result in the player
and head coach being restricted to the dugout. All bats found in warming devices
are illegal and removed from the game. (3-6-1; 7-4-2)

These demonstrate that bat warming is illegal and not without penalties. However, I would have a hard time considering a player's body or part of her legal uniform as being "bat warming devices".

I really think that a "bat warming device" would be something beyond a player's own body temperature or clothing. Any heating from those sources would have to be so negligible that they have no measurable effect on the bat's performance. This rule should only apply to heat sources that appreciably heat the bat beyond ambient temperatures.

Who knows what this official has been told, read or how he interprets it. Maybe some "higher up" in his association has instructed his umpires to rule like this. Maybe this umpire was just being one of those dreaded "overly-officious officials".

But it still sounds like a pretty nutty ruling to me.

My NCAA Rules book is in my equipment bag so I can't quote the rule, but NCAA has similiar rules to VHSL regarding warming bats.

[shagpal]

when the ball is cold and is hard as a rock, it's the ball that sanctioning bodies should be worried about, not a bat being warmed under a players armpits or between the legs.

I agree that warming the bat will prevent breakage, but I think that most people that warm bats are trying to get a hitting advantage. But, I don't see any results coming from warming the bat. Now, if you could get the opposing pitcher to use a warm ball, that might help.

But all things being equal with both teams sitting out in the cold. I haven't see an advantage to so called bat warmers.

Are balls hit further when it is 110 degrees, compared to 35 degrees?

Anyway, putting a bat inside your shirt would do absolutely nothing and I still can't understand what rule got the young lady kicked out.

I googled and found this discussion - http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3184&whichpage=1