Sorry, ...that's a catch

[bam]

A. Review took WAY too longB. Jeff is correct, glove closed on the ball, fielder did NOT show any jiggle. just a bad transfer.C. Umpires in NY blew it.

No one "blew" it. They missed it. Or got it wrong!

What is the difference ?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Makes you sound like a fan instead of an umpire.

I know what you mean. Sometimes people sound like jerks instead of reasonable people.

[BigUmpire]

Call it what you want, hosed, kicked, screwed up, missed all are fine with me.

Not sure why that word is bothers you.

In my opinion the umpires in the gee whizz room in New York were wrong.

I am both a fan and an an umpire.

Not sure what is wrong with that either.

[basejester]

Call it what you want, hosed, kicked, screwed up, missed all are fine with me.

Not sure why that word is bothers you.

"Blew it " implies a grievous error to most people.  This is a borderline judgement call, so it can't be "blown", only missed.

[BigUmpire]

Just wow!

[Dash Riprock]

Is there any additional guidance on what constitutes "voluntary release"?

There is in the NCAA book.  "If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw (i.e., reaching for the ball in the glove) after the catch, the ball shall be judged to have been caught."

[johnnyg08]

I know this isn't NCAA, but I think the verbiage of their rule is worth reading. It's much more concise than OBR:

Catch: The act of a fielder in getting secure possession in the hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it, providing the fielder does not use the cap, protector, pocket or any other part of the uniform in getting possession.

In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall demonstrate complete control of the ball and that the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.

Art. a.

If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw (i.e., reaching for the ball in the glove) after the catch, the ball shall be judged to have been caught.

Art. b.

If a fielder falls over or through the fence after making a catch within the field of play, the batter shall be retired and the ball is dead (see 6-1-d and 8-3-m).

Art. c.

It is not a catch if, simultaneously with or immediately after contact with the ball, the fielder collides with a player or fence or falls down and, as a result, drops the ball.

Art. d.

It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball that then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by that fielder or another defensive player.

Art. e.

It is not a legal catch if either foot is touching dead-ball territory when the catch is made (see 6-1-d, item 4).

A.R. -- Only two circumstances may be interpreted as creating a voluntary and intentional release.

(1) When the momentum of the catch is complete; i.e., the fielder has reversed his direction and is running the ball back toward the infield or;

(2) When the fielder is reaching for the ball to make a throw.

[Jocko]

@Thunderheads - NOW you can lock it up