Running with bat...

Question
Here is the situation.  Under 8 girls softball game.  Top of the 6th inning.  Defense is up by a score of 5-3, runners on 1st and 2nd.  Two outs.   The batter has already been warned about throwing her bat.  She hits the ball and makes it to second base knocking in the two other runners.  She gets to second base and is still carrying the bat.  After a bit of yelling and one ref calling the runner out, the ump admits that he TOLD HER TO CARRY IT WITH HER, because he had already warned her about throwing the bat?!?!?!?!  How is this allowable?  They ended up calling her safe and allowing the runs she batted in.  They wound up winning the game in an overtime inning.  Shouldn't the runner have been called out and the two runs not counted?  The game should have been over then and there should it not?  This wound up causing quite a ruckuss at the park and many parents are still very angry over it.  

Answer
Hi William,

It doesn't matter if the ump told her to carry the bat or not...it is not illegal to carry your bat with you around the bases.

Tell the parents to settle down and/or read the rule book, it is legal to carry your bat around the bases provided you don't prevent the defense from making a play because of it or threaten to use it as a weapon (or use it as a weapon)

Mark