Softball Bunt Plays: Runner Out or Safe? - Softball Coach Q&A

Question
hi,  I coach a J.V. girl's fastpitch softball team in High school.  If a girl bunts the ball and the ball rolls into the dropped bat in legal territory is the runner out? What if the dropped bat hits the ball and it has stopped rolling prior to coming in contact with the bat?  Or are there any other variations that I have not mentioned?  I look forward to hearing from you.
thanks, Jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff,

It doesn't matter if it's a bunt or any other type of swing here's what happens

1) if the bat is out of the batter's hands (dropped or thrown) and it (the bat) hits the ball (moving or stopped) in fair territory the ball is dead and the batter-runner is out.

2) If the ball hits the bat on the ground the batter is not out.  
2a If the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory it remains alive.  If it stops or is touched in fair territory it is a fair ball
2b  If it touches the bat in fair territory and then rolls to foul ground and stops or is touched it is a foul ball.
2c If the ball rolls against the bat in foul territory it is a foul ball regardless.

Mark