Softball hitting a bat on the ground in fair territory.

Question
Batter bunts the ball fair but the ball rolls into the bat that was used which is down on the ground in fair territory.  Is the batter out because the bat interfered with the direction of the ball?
What would be the rule if the bat hit the ball out of the batters hand instead of the ball rolling into the bat?

Answer
Hi Bob,

Ok...it depends on if the ball hits the bat or the bat hits the ball....

if THE Ball rolls against the bat on the ground in fair territory the batter is not out and the ball will be fair or foul depending on where it settles or is first touched.  If THE ball rolls against the bat in foul territory it is a foul ball.

If THE bat out of the batters' hands dropped or thrown hit the ball a second time in fair territory the ball is dead and the batter is out.  If the bat hits the ball in foul territory it is a foul ball.

Mark