CATCH
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, batter grounds to shortstop who throws to first base person. Ball is clamped against defender’s elbow and forearm just as batter crosses first base. Is this legal possession? Is batter declared out or safe?
ANSWER: Batter is declared safe because this is not a legal catch; possession and control was not securely in hand or glove. (BB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 1; SB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 1 & 6).
QUESTION: Batter hits a fair fly ball to center fielderwho gains possession of ball in hand or glove but drops ball when he/ she starts to throw ball to infield. Legal catch?
ANSWER: Legal catch if umpire ruled that initial action of catch was completed and the secondary action involved dropping the ball during attempt to throw. Legality of catch involves possession, control and voluntary release. (BB- Rule 2, Sec. 8, Art. 1; SB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 1 & 2).