ESPN - The Future of Officiating

[UMP25]

Originally posted by briancurtin
The Jeffrey Maier rule
Florida 6, Arizona State 3 (College World Series semifinals), June 23, 2005

Florida was up one game to none in the best-of-three series, but trailed 3-0 in the fourth inning of Game 2. After the Gators' Brian Jeroloman reached first on a walk, Brandon McArthur hit a foul ball off first base. ASU catcher Tuffy Gosewisch dove into the stands but missed making the catch. Home plate umpire Bill Davis ruled fan interference and called McArthur out. The play didn't stop Florida's rally, though, and the Gators advanced to the championship series.
[/B]

Dave Yeast played this video at the NCAA umpire meetings in Chicago earlier this month. The video clearly shows that the ball remained on (above) the field of play. A spectator reached out into the field of play to try and catch the ball while the catcher from ASU tried to catch it. The plate umpire correctly ruled spectator interference and declared the batter out. It was rather easy to see that the fan leaned over and deprived Gosewisch of an opportunity to catch the ball.