When a batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat, what happens to the ball?

In the situation where a batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat, the correct outcome is for the ball to remain live and in play until a specific action occurs that causes it to become dead. When the batter is called out for using an illegal bat, the play continues until the batter swings at the pitch. This emphasizes the principle that the infraction regarding the bat does not stop the game until an action or event takes place on the field.

The scenario illustrates that while the bat is illegal, the play remains uninterrupted, and the ball stays in play. This allows for a more fluid game and ensures that an infraction is only addressed after a potential play has transpired. Understanding this helps umpires maintain the flow of the game while also enforcing the rules correctly in cases of bat legality.