Fan interference?

[Guest Alan B.]

 

If a fan reaches  over the outfield wall and into the field of play and touches the flyball but the outfield are still catches it, and is there and her friends or is it an out?

[Jakeump]

Interference with an out on the fly ball. Runners return to the base at the time of the pitch. If the umpire judged the ball wouldn't have been caught without interference, they should award the runners and batter the positions they would have reached.

[Tborze]

If they were their friends, why would they interfere?

[Rich Ives]

3 hours ago, Jakester5112 said:

Interference with an out on the fly ball. Runners return to the base at the time of the pitch. If the umpire judged the ball wouldn't have been caught without interference, they should award the runners and batter the positions they would have reached.

Nope. Fan interference is a god rule.Umpires place runners where they think they would have reached. An out may or may not be awarded.

 

6.01(e) Spectator Interference
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball,
the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire
shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of
interference.
APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents
a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare
the batter out.

[Jakeump]

1 minute ago, Rich Ives said:

Nope. Fan interference is a god rule.Umpires place runners where they think they would have reached. An out may or may not be awarded.

 

6.01(e) Spectator Interference
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball,
the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire
shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of
interference.
APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents
a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare
the batter out.

Yes, you are correct and I could've worded my answer a little better.