Ask CCS - Outfielder Drops Ball Over Wall - HR or Out?

[Lindsay]

Oklahoma City Dodgers batter Devin Mann hit an unusual home run against the Sacramento River Cats when his fly ball to left-center field was transported over the bullpen wall, courtesy of River Cats center fielder Bryce Johnson, ruled a home run by 1B Umpire Mike Rains.

The question of whether the fielder should have been credited with an out (catch) or not rests in the rulebook's definition of the term itself, which may be found both in Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(1) ["a batter is out when their fair or foul fly ball is legally caught by a fielder"] as well as the definition of terms glossary.

The rule defines a catch as "the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in their hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing they do not use their cap, protector, pocket or any other part of their uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following their contact with the ball, they collide with a player, or with a wall, or if they fall down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drop the ball..."

Replays indicate center fielder Johnson, following his contact with the ball, collided with the wall and as a result of such collision, dropped the ball over the fence and out of play for a home run. To further drive the point home, we continue with the catch definition: "...In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that they have complete control of the ball and that their release of the ball is voluntary and intentional."

One would thus surmise the player's release of the ball was not voluntary nor intentional. As a result of these criteria not being satisfied, the play therefore should not be ruled a catch and, instead, should be deemed a home run. (We can't have a catch & carry here, either, as this was not a catch in the first place.)

Related Post: Aaron Judge's Bullpen Crashing Catch & Carry (6/4/23).

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Fielder drops HR over wall after colliding with the wall - catch or no catch?

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