Use of Non-Approved Bat by Multiple Players

Question
Hi Mark,

I play in a church slowpitch league that is sanctioned by ASA.  We use ASA rules to apply to any situation that is not covered specifically by the league by-laws.  The only specific provision for the use of non-approved bats in our league by-laws is that there is no use of "multi-shell" (i.e. double-wall, double layer) bats.  

The situation here at question is as follows:

My team was playing in a semi-final game in which we were trailing 13-2 in the top of the 6th inning.  A player on my team noticed a bat up against the fence of the other team's dugout that was clearly labeled "double wall".  We questioned the other team immediately and they admitted that multiple players had used it during the game and throughout the season.  Our head coach immediately put the game under protest.

Without giving away what was ruled that night by the league commissioner who was in attendance, could you give me the ASA ruling on what should have been ruled?  Should the opposing team have forfeited the game due to the use by multiple players?  Thanks in advance for your input.

What is the ASA rule for the situation if a batter attempts to use an illegal bat?

Answer
Hi Zach,

admission or not, in ASA you have to catch them.  If they step into the box w/ it, it is an out and a ejection.  It is never a forfeit.

In fact if a batter uses a banned bat and gets a hit and the next batter uses the same bat, only the last batter is out and ejected if a pitch has been thrown.

Mark