Home Run or Catch?

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Baseball_North

Under-18 game. Bases loaded. 2 outs. Batter hits a long fly ball to deep right field. The right fielder at the warning track jumps as high as he possibly can. He catches the ball in mid air while most of his body is still on the playing side of the fence. His momentum from the jump and stretch takes him over the fence. Somehow the player didn't hurt himself. He retains possession of the baseball but is now on the other side of the fence.

Is this a legal catch or should the batter be awarded a home run (grand slam in this case).

If this was a legal catch, what would be the situation be with less than 2 outs? Would the ball be considered dead? All runners advance 2 bases? All runners advance 1 base?

Thank you.

5.10

The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls “Time.” The umpire-inchief shall call “Time” --

(f) When 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.
As pertains to runners, the provisions of 7.04 (c) shall prevail. If a fielder after making a catch steps into a bench, but does not fall, the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own peril.


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

Play. Two out, bases full, batter walks but runner from second is overzealous and runs past third base toward home and is tagged out on a throw by the catcher. Even though two are out, the run would score on the theory that the run was forced home by the base on balls and that all the runners needed to do was proceed and touch the next base. (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;
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.

2.00

Rule 2.00 (Catch) Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk.