NFHS Lodged ball - casebook plays

[Steve Emerson]

I have another what if as to what Jim asked. The ball gets past the catcher and it does stick in the backstop or pads as we have at most parks, and as the catcher is in the process of going to the backstop to retrieve the ball it drops, do you kill it as soon as you turn around or do you wait until you see that the catcher can't retrieve it without going into the pads or fence to get it. My opinion is you wait until you see that he has to pull the ball free, but I read it in FED that as soon as the umpire sees it lodged he is to kill the play.