Catching a fly ball, fall over/through fence.

[eagle_12]

Saw this play in a NY high school game on ESPN's top plays of the weekend.

Unsure of initial runners, if any. Batter crushes a ball to left field. Field has a waist high temporary collapsible fence put up. F7 chases down ball. Leaps at fence, catches the ball in flight and then tumbles over the top of the fence as it buckles. F7 maintains position to the ground and has firm and secure possession, and voluntary release of ball. Crew meets and calls it a home run (clearly shown on video).

Thoughts on correctness of the call?

[maven]

Nope. Catch and carry.

[NFUA_44]

F7 would have had to have run through the fence, AND then caught the ball to award the HR.  As Maven said, it's a catch and carry.  What would have happened if the fence was a wall instead, assuming he still maintained possession?  Would have been a catch.

[townesgs]

* Assuming that the NY High School Contest was being played under NFHS rules...

 

NFHS 2-9-1

 

..."It is considered a catch if a fielder catches a fair or foul ball and then steps or falls into a bench, dugout, stand, bleacher or OVER any boundary or barrier, such as a FENCE, rope, chalk line, or a pregame determined imaginary boundary line from the field of play.

 

 

Here is the rule.  The batter was incorrectly awarded a home run.

[mstaylor]

The only other way it is a HR is if he goes over, lands and then catches the ball.