Thrown bat ruling

Question
Hi, Mike:

I have extensive experience playing and managing in pro ball, but Williamsport Little League umpiring astounds me.  In yesterday's game (12-year-old, majors division), with the bases loaded and two out, the batter swings and misses and throws his bat, and is given a warning by the plate umpire.  On the next pitch he taps one back to the mound, but again throws his bat, this time taking out the catcher.  The pitcher fields the ball and goes home with it, but the catcher has been injured by the bat and stumbles to get to the plate to take the throw.  He is late getting there.  The umpire calls the runner at home safe, then throws the hitter out for throwing the bat!  He does not call an out, allows the run, and has the coach replace the batter with a pinch-runner at first.  We protested that, if the batter is out of the game for throwing the bat, he can't be safe at first.  Also, that the bat interfered with the catcher and therefore the batter is out.  How can this umpire be right?  Thanks!

Answer
Wow! Based on your description, I would have to agree with you. If I were umpiring that game, I definitely would not have allowed the run to score (based on obstruction). And if the batter was tossed from the game, it's ludicrous that he wouldn't be called out! Only thing I can think of is that the ump's judgment was that the bat was not thrown purposefully -- but even still, he had already issued a warning. Based on my understanding of the situation, your protest would seem to be valid. Whether they overturn the call or not is another matter, since this involves umpire judgment to some degree.

Sorry you had to endure that kind of call. You'd certainly think that Little League would have their best umpires at Williamsport!

Best of luck,

Mike Fortunato