I would agree with those who suggested this was a HTBT.
In support of ctblu40's and PWL's assertion that the umpire MAY have been a tad "hasty" in killing the play (since it is a matter of umpire judgement AND I didn't see it, I would not say he was WRONG), I offer the following from the JEA under 5.09(g) (
my emphasis):
Quote:
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Historical Notes: This rule first appeared in 1973 and applied only to pitched balls which lodged in the umpire's mask or paraphernalia. The explanatory notes were inserted in 1976. Until 1982, any ball which lodged in the catcher's mask, protector, or uniform was considered alive and in play. In '82, the rule was revised in two ways. First, it now provided the same award for balls which lodged in umpire's or catcher's equipment. Secondly, it allowed that a ball must remain out of play for this rule to apply. A ball which temporarily lodged in the catcher's gear but was quickly retrieved or fell out became a ball "in play." Likewise, a ball which temporarily stuck in the umpire's equipment but then fell to the ground was alive and in play....
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JM