Jump to content

Out or lodged ball?


stkjock
Umpire-Empire locks topics which have not been active in the last year. The thread you are viewing hasn't been active in 2380 days so you will not be able to post. We do recommend you starting a new topic to find out what's new in the world of umpiring.

Recommended Posts

The rule book does not interpret itself, especially when borderline cases arise.

If a fielder can immediately retrieve a ball just inside his jersey, then it is not lodged. It remains live; when he holds it securely in hand or glove it's a catch.

That play happened so fast, the umpires might not have seen the ball go into the jersey. If they thought he trapped it, then held it in his hand, they'd also rule it a catch.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, stkjock said:

I cannot find a reference in OBR other than a catcher on a third strike (6.05(b) and 5.09(a)  I thought I recalled the rule would dictate this not being a legal catch.

You are correct -- if it had been accurately judged.  Award the "value" of the hit, but no outs -- so here, BR to first (and any other runners advance if forced).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Though it was not lodged, he did indeed use his uniform to assist in catching the ball, meaning it is not a catch, by definition.

 It was inadvertent, but the ball entered the jersey - in theory the play should be dead immediately...no consideration is given to the player being able to immediately retrieve and control the ball.

I wonder if this would be reviewable if someone on the offense noticed it.

In real time, I highly doubt anyway would ever notice this, and most observers would think he simply trapped the ball against his body.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

Though it was not lodged, he did indeed use his uniform to assist in catching the ball, meaning it is not a catch, by definition.

 It was inadvertent, but the ball entered the jersey - in theory the play should be dead immediately...no consideration is given to the player being able to immediately retrieve and control the ball.

I wonder if this would be reviewable if someone on the offense noticed it.

In real time, I highly doubt anyway would ever notice this, and most observers would think he simply trapped the ball against his body.

Donaldson noticed, and looked up the rule! 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The idea that the rule book does not interpret itself would be news to the Playing Rules Committee. The following text appears in the front matter of the Official Baseball Rules on page (Roman numeral) v:

“(2) The Playing Rules Committee, at its December 1977 meeting, voted to incorporate the Notes/Case Book/Comments section directly into the Official Baseball Rules at the appropriate places. Basically, the Case Book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the same effect as rules when applied to particular sections for which they are intended.

“This arrangement is designed to give quicker access to any written language pertaining to an Official Rule and does not require a reader to refer to different sections of the Official Baseball Rules book in considering the application of a particular rule.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...