ball hit by the bat in fair territory

Question
The batter bunts the ball into the field of play (right in front of the plate).  As he  leaves the batters box, he drops the bat in front of the the plate.  The ball hits the bat in the field of play in front of the plate.  The catchers picks up the ball and throws to first.  The batter beat the throw to first. What is the call?


Answer
Michael,

Rule 6.05 (g) states:


A batter is out when...

after hitting or bunting a fair ball, the bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no runner may advance. If the batter-runner drops the bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire's judgment there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play;


Rule of thumb here is bat hits ball a second time versus ball hits bat a second time and of course, umpire抯 judgment on intent to interfere.

I hope this has answered your question.  Should you have anymore, please feel free to ask!

-Martin Hoover