WHO THREW THAT BAT?

The Scenario--What is the protocol for thrown bats?
BATS THROWN MALICIOUSLY--UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
The involved player will be ejected, and his/her team will be warned.		 BATS THROWN RECKLESSLY
In this scenario, the bat is released unintentionally and either hits a defensive player or is thrown in clearly reckless fashion.
No warnings are needed in such an ejection scenario. First occurrence: At the end of the pitch or play phase, the plate umpire will warn the offender and his/her entire team. This warning remains in place for the entire game. This warning does NOT affect the other team.

Second occurrence (and beyond): The batter is ejected.
INTERFERENCE BY BATTER: In either scenario, if the thrown bat interferes with defensive play, the batter shall be called out, the ball is dead and runners return to their bases at the time of the pitch (ToP). An ejection may also occur. Read on.
EJECTION SCENARIO
When the thrown bat does NOT interfere...
  • The batter is NOT automatically called out. Repeat: The batter is NOT automatically called out.
  • If the batter puts the ball into play, no immediate call is made. The entire play goes through.
    • If the batter makes an out, the out stands and the batter is ejected after the play phase is over.
    • If the batter reaches base safely: After the play phase is over, the batter is ejected and a pinch runner takes the batter's place on base.
    • All scores, advances by runners and outs made by the defensive are recorded.
  • If the batter strikes out on the pitch in question, s/he is ejected and the game proceeds.
  • If the thrown bat occurs in the middle of an at-bat, the batter is ejected after that pitch/play, the pitch is recorded (ball/strike), and a substitute now bats and assumes the count of the ejected batter.
IN SUMMARY: When a batter throws the bat recklessly (after his/her team has been warned), any ensuing play goes into the book just as if the incident had never happened. After the entire play phase is over, the offending batter is disqualified from the game.
Sample Scenarios:

  1. In the first inning, Seamus of the Gnats throws the bat recklessly while Beaver stands on first base. He and his entire team are warned. On the next pitch, Seamus swings and misses, making the count 2-2. On the pitch Beaver steals second base, and Seamus throws his bat recklessly. OUTCOME: After the steal, plate umpire calls "time"; Seamus is ejected. Beaver remains at second base, and Wheezer comes into the game as a pinch-hitter for Seamus, with a count of 2-2.

  2. Flossie is batting and is walked. After the pitch she turns to the catcher and says, "Your mother wears fake Prada," and deliberately throws the bat at her. OUTCOME: Flossie is immediately ejected, and Priscilla, a pinch-runner, is sent to first base.

  3. In the second inning, a member of the Weasels throws his bat recklessly, and his team is warned. In the next inning, a member of the Vermin throws his bat recklessly. OUTCOME: The batter and the Vermin team receive a warning.

  4. After his team has been warned, Inky of the Possums hits a grand-slam home run. He flings the bat recklessly after making contact with the ball. OUTCOME: Inky and the preceding three Possums all score; Inky is ejected after he crosses the plate.

  5. Iodine of the Geckos bats and bunts. Seeing that the opposing pitcher will easily field the ball, Iodine throws his bat the feet of the pitcher, causing him to stumble. Ignatz is advancing from first to second on the play. OUTCOME: Umpire calls an immediate dead ball. Iodine is called out and Ignatz must return to 1B. Umpire may eject Iodine for unsportsmanlike conduct. In any case the entire Gecko team is warned.