Bat in baseline

Question
After a player has hit the ball and runners are advancing whose responsibility is it to remove the bat from the baseline?  In a recent game a 2nd player was unable to slide to home due to a bat laying in the baseline. The resulting call was an out.

Answer
Hi Cheryl,

A discarded bat is just part of the field.  There is no specific responsibility for anyone to move it, especially the umpire who should never touch, kick or do anything else to the bat.  If an offensive or defensive player wants to move it it's up to them.

Mark