What should happen to bats that become broken, cracked, or dented during play?

When a bat becomes broken, cracked, or dented during play, the appropriate action, according to the rules, is that the player simply cannot use the damaged bat any further, but there are no penalties imposed on the player or team for the use of the damaged bat. The focus is on player safety and maintaining the integrity of the game.

Once a bat is identified as being damaged, the player should replace it with an unbroken bat before continuing to bat. This ensures that the game proceeds smoothly without disrupting the flow of play for inspections or penalties. Other options suggest penalties or procedures that are not consistent with the rules regarding damaged equipment.