Hmmmm, interesting play.
Part of me wants to say that since the ball never touched the ground, its status has not yet been determined. Conceivably, this could be considered the same as if the ball deflected off of one fielder and then is legally caught by another fielder.
However, another part of me is toying with the Pro concept of voluntary release. Since the fielder gloved the ball, then hit the fence and fell, and this fall caused him to let it go, voluntary release has not been established. in fact we had involuntary release which can never be a catch. The other fielder would almost have to take the ball out of the first fielder's glove for voluntary release to occur.
The question as I see it:
If a ball is gloved (caught), but a catch (voluntary release) is not yet established (as in the posted situation), is the only thing that could make this a legal catch voluntary release? Not even another fielder could legally catch this ball if it is not voluntarily released even if it doesn't touch the ground?
This is not the same as if the ball popped out of a fielder's glove and is legally caught by another fielder. In that situation the ball was never gloved so voluntary release is not an issue until it is gloved.
I'd have to award B1 third base, I think. But very little argument could convince me this is a legal catch by the center fielder.
What do y'all think?
Sincerely,
Jim Porter
[This message has been edited by Jim Porter (edited August 22, 2000).]
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