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[WhatWuzThatBlue]

We actually encountered this topic in Philadelphia at the convention.

Use the ordinary 5-4-3 DP for the illustration. The sharply hit ball is handled easily by F5. He flips it underhand to F4 who steps cleanly on the bag and beats the runner who is just beginning his slide. Crossing the bag, F4 reaches into his mitt and drops the ball. What do you have?

Most of us agreed that we would call the first out because he has stepped across the bag and planted his feet to throw - thus a second act. Some felt that the voluntary release had more to do with letting go of the ball with the glove. Obviously, if the fielder is reaching in to take the ball out he is doing it with intent. He drops the ball during the ordinary exchange - nullifying most possibilities of a second out. He clearly was holding the ball securely in his glove for the force out at second, why would you take that away from him. Others in the crowd were in the same camp as some of you. They would call teh runner safe and say that the fielder exhibited no control. B.S! He had control for that out and lost it while trying to make the next play.

Then again, most of these guys have been around a long time - many with pro school under their belts. They are simply afraid of Yeats and company changing the understanding of the rule. I'll search the NCAA archives for a video explanation of the exchange and see if I can post the link. They have a great resource there and if you don't mind long load times, you'll be in for a treat.

Have a look, it'll be better watching than the SOTU speech.