can anyone offer clarification on the following scenerio. please consider Pro, NCAA and Federation rules.

Left fielder crosses over the foul line and is running towards dead ball territory in an attempt to catch a fly ball. a chalk line indicates where dead ball territory begins. does he have to have both feet in play when he makes the catch? Just one foot? if he touches the line with either foot when he catches the ball is the catch no good?
i understand that in federation play if he catches the ball in play and then rules out of play, the catch is good, but the ball is then dead - runners advance one base. when exactly has the fielder entered dead ball territory?
is it also correct that by Pro rules as long as keeps his feet the ball is still live as long as he caught before crossing into dead ball. again, when does dead ball territory begin?
i have been told that the player can still make the catch as long as at least a part of one foot was stii in play (on the out of play line) when the catch is made. this appears to be the most liberal interpretation possible. is it correct?
thanks.

fed rules
 

per fed case book, it appears that if one foot is on the dead ball line and the other foot is in dead ball area, the catch is still good
5.1.1 situation L.
how does that apply to the pro rule?

Re: fed rules
 

<i> Originally posted by ggk </i>

<b> per fed case book, it appears that if one foot is on the dead ball line and the other foot is in dead ball area, the catch is still good
5.1.1 situation L.
how does that apply to the pro rule? </b>

Here's the OBR ruling:

<i> 7.04
Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when

(c) 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; 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. </i>


I do not get any "kick-backs" from Papa C but the aforementioned is why you should purchase Carl's BRD (Baseball Rule Differences)

Bottom Line:

PRO - Both Feet have to be in Live ball territory prior to the catch. In pro rules, as 7.04(c) indicates a player may go into DBT (provided he does not fall down) after making the catch and the ball remains alive.

FED - You may straddle the line (one foot in one foot out), however, unlike OBR in FED once a player with both feet is in DBT , the ball is dead whether he falls down or not.

Pete Booth

if you go to http://www.rulesofbaseball.com (the J/R manual web page), you should check out their sample e-book. It covers this DBT stuff.

But yes, you and Pete pretty much have the idea.

FED: Only need one part of your body touching LBT ground to be considered in LBT (this goes for standing and lying on the ground). Once your whole body or 2 feet are in DBT, you are in DBT.

OBR: Need 2 feet on LBT to complete the catch. You then can carry the ball into DBT, but need to stay on your feet to keep the ball alive. If you are on the ground- as long as more than half of your body is on LBT, you are considered in LBT.

In both cases the line is considered to be part of LBT.

Sorry, i don't work NCAA to give you the interpretation for them.

thanks for the info. you both mention that per the pro rule you need both feet in LBT while making the catch. 7.04 does not seem to address one or both feet, is this issue discussed elsewhere in the rule book?

it's more of an interpretation. OBR leaves a LOT out of the rulebook.

I've tried for years to propose that FED change their rule to match OBR - it's such a simple change,but just one more thing we who work multiple levels of ball throughout the year have to try to remember.
NCAA says you cannot touch dead ball territory with either foot and make a catch, and if you make a legal catch and enter DBT the ball stays alive UNLESS you fall down OR local ground rules say kill it.

JJ