Bunting - Rule Question

[Way2Be]

This evening in my DD's 12U Town Travel game a girl on the opposing team bunted. When she dropped the bat it struck the ball a second time as the bat was falling to the ground. The umpire called the ball foul, due to the bat touching the ball a second time, but then awarded the batter first base after the opposing coaches argued the call. Their feeling was the bat became part of the playing field once it left the batters hands. We were up 10-0 at the time and did not make this a major issue. Although once the ump called the ball foul, our players never even attempted to make a play at first base. Thoughts?

Also, if the bat was still in the batters hands when it touched the ball a second time, would this change the call?

 

[Comp]

Doesnt matter if the bat is in the batters hands or not. If the bat hits the ball a second time, the ball is dead. If the batter is still in the box they are not out. If the batter is out of the box when the bat hits the ball a second time, the batter is out. The bat does not become part of the field until it is stationary on the ground. If the bat is stationary on the ground when the ball contacts the bat, it is a live ball play on.

 

[MTR]

Speaking ASA

Fair batted ball hits bat a second time

If still in the batter's hands:
Batter still in BB, dead ball, foul
Batter out of BB, dead ball, batter is out, runners return to base at the TOP

If no longer in the batter's hands:
If the bat hits the ball, dead ball, batter is out, runners return to base at the TOP
If the ball hits the bat, live ball

 

[Whayne Pack]

Speaking ASA

Fair batted ball hits bat a second time

If still in the batter's hands:
Batter still in BB, dead ball, foul
Batter out of BB, dead ball, batter is out, runners return to base at the TOP

If no longer in the batter's hands:
If the bat hits the ball, dead ball, batter is out, runners return to base at the TOP
If the ball hits the bat, live ball

What about ball hitting bat and the barrel of bat is field of play and knob is in foul territory. Does that impact the call at all?

 

[FPump]

What about ball hitting bat and the barrel of bat is field of play and knob is in foul territory. Does that impact the call at all?

Fair ball.

 

[Whayne Pack]

Fair ball.

Have had it called foul before.

 

[FPump]

Have had it called foul before.

As you described the play at that specific point of the play, by rule it's a fair ball.
However, after the ball made contact with the bat, the ball could still become foul.

 

[Whayne Pack]

it remained in field of play and came to rest

 

[honus14]

Position of the bat (when it's at rest on the ground) is not relevant. As Comp says, it becomes part of the field.

By "in the field of play," do you mean "in fair territory?" Then the call appears to have been wrong.

 

[Whayne Pack]

Yes sorry long day. Fair territory.