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Originally Posted by umpjim
What aboutthis rule from MLB.com?
"7.07 If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead."
I've called this at lower levels and if the batter had swung the catcher would have had a headache, ribache or broken arm.
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Okay, I just watched and rewatched, backwards and forwards, stopping frame by frame, the video of Jackie Robinson's steal of home. Yogi did not step on home plate until he caught the ball. Before catching the ball, he had both feet behind the plate, not touching it. So, I don't think he violated 7.07 at all. The play happened so fast, that I doubt that the umpire could distinguish where Yogi's feet were at the time he caught the pitch.