Wagging the bat could be called a strike if the umpire judges that the batter attempted to "strike at" the pitch.  (See 2.00 STRIKE)  In general, a simple waggle is not going to be called a strike.

DM or catcher can ask PU to get help (9.02c comment), and PU could ask for it.  But if I'm BU, I'm probably not calling strike on a waggle if my partner didn't.  And if I'm PU, I'm going to tell the DM that a waggle by itself is not an offer.

Part 1
Waggling the bat is NOT against the rules.
The batter can do it all he wants. (Even when the pitch is coming in.)

I'm in the camp that WILL NOT call the pitch a strike simply because a batter is waggling his bat while the pitch is in flight. 2.00 says a strike is one that "is struck at by the batter and missed". I've never seen a batter strike at a pitch by waggling his bat.

Yes it's annoying. But it's not against the rules and it's not an automatic strike. Just because I don't like something, doesn't give me the right to invent a rule to cover it.

Part 2

If I'm asked to get help, I'm going to my partner.  There's no reason not to.

You might want to read that again Frank.

That rule change is for softball only.

ITEM 11 - Affects all softball divisions

Should Rule 2.00 be amended to read:

Bunt is a batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly. Holding the bat in the strike zone is considered an attempted bunt. In order to take a pitch, the batter must withdraw the bat backwards away from the ball. (Tee Ball: Bunts are not permitted. Batters are not permitted to take a half-swing. If the umpire feels the batter is taking a half-swing, the batter may be called back to swing again.)

I've had a discussion about this with one of our regular plate umps.  His philosophy is that if the bat doesn't get pulled back, he's calling it a strike.  His reasoning is that some kids are so poorly skilled that just sticking the bat out there is their "attempt".  While he may not be sticking with the by the book definition, it really is his call as to whether or not the batter "attempted".

As coaches we just make sure the batter pulls back if he is taking, which is probably the smarter thing to do in any case.  That way there is no doubt in the PU's mind as to the batter's intent.

Your regular plate ump needs to go back to school.

Your regular plate ump needs to go back to school.

Yea, it's not the only rule I don't see eye to eye with him on.  The last time he was in school he was sitting next to Moses, so I don't think he's going to be getting any better.  He's a nice enough guy, but kind of set in his ways.  I can deal with the bunt issue, even if I don't agree because I know what to expect.  He's nothing if not consistent.

The rule is just meant to align itself with the other softball organizations that call it this way.

Awful, yes. But now it's universally awful.