In article <YIGYe.27839$hp.23478@lakeread08> on Thu, 22 Sep 2005 19:01:12 
-0400, jpmccord@hotmail.com (JPM III) wrote:

> Also, the rules do not state that a baseball batter must drop the bat 
> on the bases. Any hitter is allowed to carry his bat if he wishes, but 
> as the explanation goes, much more emphasis is placed on the difficulty 
> of achieving extra bases or scoring extra runs, so it is to the 
> batter-runner's advantage to drop the bat. However, it certainly is not 
> against the rules to hang on to it as long as it is not used to 
> intimidate fielders.

Would the bat count as part of the body for being safe?

If so, they're missing a trick, as they could do a headfirst slide and 
stretch the bat out ahead of their body, to touch the base (or plate).  
That would surely make it easier to get safe?

-- 
Richard Gadsden
"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it" - Attributed to Voltaire