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ump question about heating bats

Posted by USSSA FAN on October 29, 2020, 4:32 pm

OK I heard from my assigner a situation where a team, Chicagoland area, were playing last night, final games for the playoffs to end the season, and they had a bag that held 10-12 bats. Made with aluminum, wrapped with a cloth material, except the bottom, that they had sterno's that you would heat food with underneath keeping the bats warm as it was cold last night and they thought that would be better than the bats being cold and possibly breaking. Question is, are the bats now illegal? He is trying to find anything about this in the USA rulebook and can't. I know we have a bunch of umps on here that answer questions, so please post your thoughts and if it is illegal, what is the rule number so we can find it in the book?

Thanks

Re: ump question about heating bats

Posted by Truth on October 29, 2020, 5:07 pm, in reply to "ump question about heating bats"

we were told in our league championships about this that it would be considered altering a bat and therefor deem the bat illegal to use if pointed out.

I also play in chicagoland, and I honestly see this about 4-5 times every fall season somewhere

Re: ump question about heating bats

Posted by Pedro Cerrano on October 29, 2020, 5:54 pm, in reply to "ump question about heating bats"

Hats for bats. Keep bats warm.

Re: ump question about heating bats

Posted by USA/ASA Umpire 30+ on October 29, 2020, 8:54 pm, in reply to "ump question about heating bats"

Rule 3, Section 7

Note: The characteristics of any approved equipment can not be changed. One example would be icing, cooling or heating equipment.

The ASA considers these devices illegal. Furthermore, anyone caught doing this may be subject to Article 510, M, 06 of the ASA Code that states the following:

Re: ump question about heating bats

Posted by Really on October 30, 2020, 1:25 am, in reply to "ump question about heating bats"

Bat warmers are pretty common in cold weather. Supposedly it might help keep the bat from cracking in cold weather. Its not going to improve the performance of the bat. I think it's weak sauce to complain to an ump over a team using a bat warmer in 40 degree weather. The ball is going to fly in that weather with any bat you use. Quit being a Karen and play the game.

Re: ump question about heating bats

Posted by USSSA FAN on October 30, 2020, 9:56 am, in reply to "Re: ump question about heating bats"

I wasn't complaining at all. I just asked the question if anyone knew if this was legal or not and it isn't based on the rule book. Thank you for answering my question and I will pass that on.

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