Home Run or Catch?
 

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.

Not sure what the rule set is in an "under 18" game. But the play results in an out and,with less than two outs, the runners move up a base, assuming no other base running errors.

The runners, under any rule set, could not move up two bases.

The mo

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.

Catch. With 2 outs inning over. With 1 out the ball is dead and all runners are awarded one base.

What If
 

R1, batter hits a long drive. R1 is off and running and has rounded second base when F8 leaps and catches the ball before he falls over the outfield fence.

Place the runner.

Assuming that fewer than 2 were out before the play, R1 to third, but he must retouch.

Cite a rule please, because I don't agree.

2B - 7.04(c)

No way.

The runner must return to first on a caught fly ball.

First base is the last legally touched base in this situation.

He is awarded second base.

Rich Ives,consider this.

With less than two outs and r1 off on the pitch the batter hits a long fly that the outfielder makes a great catch but does NOT go out play.

R1 halfwayto third has to beat a hasty retreat to first and beats the throw but the bal lis booted by the first baseman and goes into the dugout.

R1 would be awarded third base on the overthrow: two bases from the last base legally touched.

Under your previous interpretation he would have been awarded home, which makes no sense.

My apologies to Rich Ives.

It was mbyron who got the awarded bases wrong.

Cite the rule that you feel applies.

Right, by rule we award one base from his last, and since he's rounded 2B, that's 3B.

BUT, he must retouch on the caught fly, or he's liable to be out on appeal.

AND, once he retouches, the award is one base from 1B, that's 2B.

IIRC, enforcement changed recently for situations like this. But any way you do it, it appears you help somebody.

"You, go retouch, and then go to 2B!" -- You've helped the offense.

"You, 3B!" OR "You, 2B!" -- You've made it seem as if he does NOT need to retouch, which helps the defense if they know to appeal.

When awarding bases, it is up to the runner (or his coach) to know he must retouch a base left too soon. I would never tell a runner to retouch. Simply say "You, 2nd base". If he fails to retouch 1st Base, he would be out on appeal.

Right. Send him BACK to 2B (he'd already rounded). And then what do you say to the base coach who enquires, "Isn't that award 1 base from the last base legally touched?"

If you reply, "1B is the last base legally touched, coach," you've given the game away.