Batter Slings Bat (Adult ASA Softball)

Question
During a previous plate appearance the batter was warned for slinging his bat. On his next at-bat he gets a base hit but slings the bat again. I believe the proper procedure is to eject the batter-base runner and replace him with a sub. The sub should take whatever base the ejected obtained during the at-bat.

Please tell me is this procedure is correct.

Thanks,
Moses

Answer
Hi Moses,

here's the answer to the same q I had a while ago.

Unfortunately (IMO) unless local rules dictate otherwise, there is no rule on a batter accidentally throwing a bat no matter how many times it happens.  

In  fact there is an RS on it  

52. THROWING OR CARRYING A BAT.
When a player throws the bat intentionally in anger, the player should
be ejected. Should the bat slip from the batter抯 hands, there is no penalty
unless the discarded bat prevents the defense from making a play on the
ball, and then interference should be ruled.

That being said should it be a serious safety issue and I have seen thrown bats become almost lethal missiles, I can understand why an umpire would "disqualify" a player.

I also believe if you are going to play softball you need to learn how to properly discard the bat and repeated throwing of the bat by an unskilled player that puts others in jeopardy needs to be addressed.

"by the book" others may disagree w/ the last 2 sentences.

I am also very biased, 10-12 yrs ago as a PU I had my left kneecap broken by an unskilled player's thrown bat on his 2nd bat after warning him the 1st time his thrown bat almost took off the catcher's head.


Mark