Qiman...

I agree, closing within the danger area of the bat (assuming it is held as a bat, see my original post) is the primary concern. I don't know that I agree about closing pre-swing. I don't know what method of closing you are suggesting, but it seems it would be safer to close following a swing. After the swing, it will take longer to recover and swing again. If you go in before the swing, I would be worried about getting caught.

Once you are in, I don't think I would worry about disarming the bat, just take them down and finish the fight. Of course, this perspective is from the way my art fights, I can see where some other arts (Thai Boxing for example) would be more interested in a disarm.