O's/Red Sox "on the transfer"

[Mike Prince]

Intersting dynamic to last night's Red Sox/Orioles game.  Orioles F4 "catches" the throw for the front end of a DP in the bottom of the 7th and then loses it as he tries to drop the ball into his throwing hand to get the B/R at first.  Runner is called safe at 2B.  Buck Showalter comes out (in an obvious delay tactic) and while discussing the call is visibly looking to his dugout for a sign to challenge.  No sign is given and the play is not challenged.  Ends up being a pivotal play in the inning as well as the game.

 

I'm not saying that the teams are "getting" the new interp, but in this case they realized a challenge would not be successful.

[Thunderheads]

Intersting dynamic to last night's Red Sox/Orioles game.  Orioles F4 "catches" the throw for the front end of a DP in the bottom of the 7th and then loses it as he tries to drop the ball into his throwing hand to get the B/R at first.  Runner is called safe at 2B.  Buck Showalter comes out (in an obvious delay tactic) and while discussing the call is visibly looking to his dugout for a sign to challenge.  No sign is given and the play is not challenged.  Ends up being a pivotal play in the inning as well as the game.

 

I'm not saying that the teams are "getting" the new interp, but in this case they realized a challenge would not be successful.

I questioned a similar play on the Mariner's that's on Gil's forum ....

I'm wondering when and if this new interpretation is going to get changed, and if so, ...how?

[Mike Prince]

The announcers tried to make a point that this likely will not change radically during the season as these calls are now deciding games.  They speculated that the refinements around the interp will be more focused on catch/no catch and not all of these infield transfer plays.  If you believe anything an announcer says, this means nothing will be changed until the off-season.

[johnnyg08]

I don't think they will change it.  Grab the ball and you get the out.  I guess I don't see why people are making a huge deal about it.  I guess it's just a sign about how poorly people deal w/ change.

[Mike Prince]

I don't think that they should change it.  You want the out, hang onto the ball.

[JaxRolo]

I agree with Johnny and Mike. People just don't like change. I like it. Hang on to the ball if you want the out,

[maven]

The play:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v32252923/?game_pk=380808

[mw94]

The play:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v32252923/?game_pk=380808

That play was a perfect text book example of the new Catch & Control Rule interpretation.  Bottom line in OBR for 2014 , you must get the ball into your throwing hand with out dropping the ball to complete the catch!!!  This interpretation will be in the 2014 Rulebook when it is Published in May.   If you want to preview the new language click here.http://www.closecallsports.com/2014/04/new-2014-rule-interpretation.html

[johnnyg08]

Unless they're printing new rule books, it's not in there. Read below:

A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultane- ously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught.

Rule 2.00 (Catch) Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk.

If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is “held up†and kept from an appar- ent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.

[mw94]

Unless they're printing new rule books, it's not in there. Read below:

A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultane- ously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught.

Rule 2.00 (Catch) Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk.

If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is “held up†and kept from an appar- ent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.

They are, the 2014 Rulebook is not out for purchase by the Public till May 15th

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600789455/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d5_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0BC8RZRAWYBAZZWHJG80&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

[johnnyg08]

I'm a regular dude and I got this one from Referee. From what Hunter posted, the interpretation will only be in the MLBUM this year. Could they change it?…I suppose. But what about our amateur leagues who play modified OBR? The forum is auto rotating the photo, but you get the point.

[mw94]

Your are correct I got bad info its only in  MLBUM.  So you are correct .  My 3 friends in Milb have not had time to answer they are on the road , so I dont know how they are calling this play in Minor Leagues??? 

[Lindsay]

OBR has been released, MLB just hasn't publicly announced nor linked to it. But it's there.

 

Changes to the 2014 OBR notably do not include anything regarding catches/transfers as this is a rule interpretation change only. OBR also neglects any mention of Replay, as has been MLB past practice since the 2008 limited replay release.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2014/official_baseball_rules.pdf