Illini Ref,
In the sitch at the bottom of your post, you DO have voluntary release. The other fielder VOLUNTARILY released the ball from the injured fielder's glove. If you read the rule, it doesn't say the release must be made by the fielder who "caught" the ball, right? By not reading into what is actually written in the rule, you meet all requirements for a catch (control before the batted ball hits ground/object, voluntary release). Therefore, THAT'S A CATCH! and an out.
mcrowder,
In your last sitch, when the fielder "transfers the ball to his hand", THAT'S A VOLUNTARY RELEASE! So you counter your own statement about "regardless of what he does afterward". "Voluntary release" doesn't mean a throw.
Just my two cents' worth.
Rick
|