Fielder Catches Batted Ball --- Fielder Bent over fence -- only the glove is on DBT...

[johnnyg08]

And the fielder pushes himself back up into live ball territory. 

Under NFHS rules is this a live ball/play on...or is this considered "falling into DBT"? The rules seem to mention both feet and falling. 

It's definitely not both feet....but is leaning over the fence with a hand down in DBT considered falling into DBT? 

 

 

 

[noumpere]

I don't think what you describe is a fall.  I'd keep the ball live.

[Velho]

Sounds like fielder was propping himself up by touching DBT?

Let me ask how we'd rule on an extreme version: DBT is marked by a line on the ground. Fielder is laying on the ground with toes on/over live ball territory and entire rest of body on DBT which he didn't get there by falling (think of the position halfway though a burpee). Legal catch?

[johnnyg08]

I'm leaning on a yes...visualizing it more like a one armed plank. The rule and interp seems to focus on the feet and falling into DBT. 

In your play,  I don't see that as a fall and there's one hand in DBT which would be legal if it were a foot. 

[Replacematt]

If we have a fielder that has both feet in LBT, holds themselves up on a dugout wall that is out of play, and makes the catch, do we have that as a catch?