"Rules Myths" questions

[SanDiegoSteve]

The only thing that was changed was not allowing a fielder to enter the dugout to make a catch. If the fielder can catch the ball with at least one foot on or over live ball territory, and with no foot in the out-of-play area, and remain standing on the other side, the ball is alive and in play.

If he falls into DBT, then the runners advance one base from their position at the time of the fielders' falling as described here:

Rule 7.04(c) Comment: If a fielder, after having made a legal catch, should fall into a stand or among spectators or into the dugout or any other out-of-play area while in possession of the ball after making a legal catch, or fall while in the dugout after making a legal catch, the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base, without liability to be put out, from his last legally touched base at the time the fielder fell into, or in, such out-of-play area.

Bottom line: fall = dead ball / no fall = live ball.