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First... the ball has to touch the runner before he can catch it.
My understanding is:
If the ball had NOT passed an infielder, or another other fielder had a chance to make an out, the ball is dead the moment it touched the fielder. (He did not "handle" a live ball.) If it was a fair ball and the fielder was in contact with the base, award the BR a base hit and runners advance if forced.
If the ball HAD passed an infielder, and no other fielder had a chance to make an out, then we've got the runner handling a live ball. I've got dead ball and out.
Edited to add: The above is all obviously with the assumption that this was a "self preservation" move and not intentional. Also, noting some BB discussion above and that my statement aboout not out when in contact with the base are meant to be SB only.
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Dan
Last edited by SC Ump; Tue May 13, 2008 at 04:37pm.
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