[ump3]

In a recent Major League Rules Committee meeting, this play came up for discussion. Though it has widely been thought of that this particular play is an out, minds have started to shift. The main reason being, that it is not secure possession in HIS hand or glove. May other runners continue running, and if he cannot remove the ball from the glove, can he throw it (the pitcher's glove) to another player to tag out a runner trying to advance? It seems as though umpire's interpretations of this rule might be changing. In a play that occured two seasons ago, a ball went into the shirt of a player's uniform. He held the ball in his hand, with the shirt in between, stepped on first base, and this was a recorded out. Major League Baseball has since said that this is immediately dead, and runners are awarded two bases, TOP.

Side note to the first ruling:
They did come to the conclusion, that this is not EVER an award of bases, nor a dead ball. It will always be a considered a catch, if a being a fly ball or line drive, is what is lodged, because it is considered secure possession in his . . . glove. The interpretation, and from what I've heard, the wording in the new OBR being worked on, is now, "attempted voluntary release". Also, new wording will be "lodges in the uniform, paraphanaila, or equipment, other than a fielder's glove or mitt, of a player or umpire."

[Edited by ump3 on Sep 3rd, 2004 at 10:56 AM]