ASA Slowpitch Softball Question

Question
I have a question regarding hitting. We played a game last night in which the batter hit a dribbler in front of the plate. He also dropped his bat in the field of play territory, which the ball struck and changed directions after hitting the bat. What would be the proper call?

Answer
HI Richard,

You stated THE BALL hit the bat, so the call is nothing if the ball stayed fair.  here's ASA RS 24

B. If the bat is out of the batter抯 hands, dropped or thrown, and it hits the
ball a second time in fair territory, the ball is dead and the batter-runner
is out. However, if the BALL hits the bat on the ground, the batter is
not out and the umpire must then determine whether the ball is fair or
foul based on the fair / foul rule. If the ball rolls against the bat in fair
territory, the ball remains live. If the ball stops or is touched in fair territory,
it is a fair ball. If the ball touches the bat in fair territory and then
rolls to foul ground and stops, it is a foul ball. If the ball rolls against
the bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball.

Mark