LEGAL CATCH
QUESTION: In high school ,baseball and softball, outfielder makes a running catch of a fair fly ball. His / her momentum carries them a few yards following catch. Ump declares an out on good catch stating fielder held the ball long enough before the drop. Correct call?
ANSWER: Incorrect call. Time element should not enter the decision. By rule, player must have possession and control and then have a voluntary release following initial action of catch. There is no such rule as having ball for three / more seconds during judgment of a catch. ( BB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 1; SB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 4 & 5).
QUESTION: Batter hits a foul fly ball near the dugout. First base person makes the catch with one foot entirely inside dugout area while other foot is on foul ground. Legal catch?
ANSWER: BB only- this is a legal catch as long a fielder has one foot touching the playing ground which includes fair and foul territory. ( BB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 1, Comment C, Casebook).
SB only- No catch is ruled if an entire foot is in dead ball area at time of catch. Dugout is dead ball area.
(SB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 5,d).