bat in the way

Question
Girl coming home. Her bat is in the baseline to slide. Is the homeplate umpire responsible for getting the bat out of the way. Its in the path of her slide. She jumps over it to slide and then slides.  \
Question two, the umpire calls her safe. The ball is in the catchers glove and she slides under the tag.  The opposing coach protests and the umpire changes his call to out. Can this legally be done?

Answer
Hi Sheryl,

An umpire should never touch a bat no matter where it is, it's not their job and it requires them to alter their attention from the play.  As a UIC I HIGHLY discourage it and an umpire that routinely does it will not work the end of the tournament for me.

A discarded bat is just a part of the playing field, if the ODB can move it w/out causing a problem fine but otherwise it just stays there.

Sure...An umpire can change their call but it is usually based on new info.  I have no idea what transpired between the coach and the umpire.


Mark