ASA softball/discarded bats/ondeck circle/ general mechanics.

Question
Two part question.  First overthrown ball hits a discarded bat in the batting teams ondeck circle.  Does that make it blocked ball?  


second, after the batter makes contact and discards their bat(by home plate), is it the umpire's responsibility to remove the bat from the play, or is it mechanically correct to do so.   I know you have great knowledge on mechanics, and just wondering what the proper thing to do with discarded bats.

Answer
Hi Zach,

If it's not the batter's bat used at the plate, yes that would be a blocked ball.

In order for an umpire to move a bat they have to take their eyes off the field, we teach an umpire NEVER to touch a discarded bat, let it lay.  If the catcher or the on-deck wants to move the bat that's up to them.

Mark