Thread: dead ball area
View Single Post
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Fri Jul 07, 2006, 10:51pm
BigUmp56 BigUmp56 is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: South Bend, In.
Posts: 2,192
Send a message via AIM to BigUmp56 Send a message via Yahoo to BigUmp56
You could always print this and show it to the coaches.


7.04(c) Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when a fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field.

Official Notes - Case Book - Comments: A fielder or catcher may reach or step into, or go into the dugout with one or both feet to make a catch, and if he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. Ball is in play. If the fielder or catcher, after having made a legal catch, should fall into a stand or among spectators or into the dugout after making a legal catch, or fall while in the dugout after making a legal catch, the ball is dead and runners advance one base without liability to be put out.

Professional Interpretation: The critical factor in this ruling is the definition of "falls." A player may stumble, lean on a dugout wall, be supported by players from either team, and teeter on a fence railing without actually falling. This is a judgment call and the umpire must be alert and in position to judge the player's status after catching a fly ball. The player may throw from a dead ball territory and complete a play provided he has not fallen in the dead ball territory (e.g. dugout, stands, photographers' pit). A one base award is made if the fielder falls in a dead ball area after catching a fly ball. Umpires should be extremely alert as the runners must legally tag as on any fly ball caught. Even though an award may be made, the runner is still obligated to re-touch his last legally occupied base at the time of the pitch.



Tim.
Reply With Quote