Appending data from one program to the other using batch commands

I have a database which sometimes crashes. I want to create a batch program that does this:

1. Runs SQL*Plus.
2. Makes SQL*Plus run a script from a plain text file.
3. Gets the results back to the main batch program.
4. Uses it to check if database is running or not.

I am having trouble in getting SQL*Plus to run something directly through the batch and getting the data back. Hopefully it’s a simple process I don’t know about.