shane victorino dives into the stands

[tibear]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Perhaps you didn't see the Web Gem by Nick Punto of the Twins. He took off while over the dugout lip (with both feet in the air) and made the catch up against the face of the dugout roof. He then landed with both feet in the dugout. This was an out, not a foul ball.

As per the new rule set of 2007 at least one foot must be touching or over the edge of the playing surface and nothing touching the DBT ground in order for a catch to be legal.

I didn't see the catch but if the defender was completely over DBT when the ball was caught the umpires incorrectly called an out.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by tibear

As per the new rule set of 2007 at least one foot must be touching or over the edge of the playing surface and nothing touching the DBT ground in order for a catch to be legal.

I didn't see the catch but if the defender was completely over DBT when the ball was caught the umpires incorrectly called an out.

I can see how the wording leads you to that conclusion, but I think you're misinterpreting the intent.

[tibear]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I can see how the wording leads you to that conclusion, but I think you're misinterpreting the intent.

Using the rule I quoted earlier in the thread (directly from MLB website) could you explain to me how the rule could be interpreted any other way but: "The fielder MUST have one foot on or over playing surface and nothing touching in DBT for a caught ball to be an out?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by tibear

Using the rule I quoted earlier in the thread (directly from MLB website) could you explain to me how the rule could be interpreted any other way but: "The fielder MUST have one foot on or over playing surface and nothing touching in DBT for a caught ball to be an out?

Because if the wording just said "on the playing surface" than any catch in the air wouldn't be a catch.

My guess (and I admit it's just that) is that the "you are where you were until you get where you're going" rule applies, and a player who leaps from (entirely) live ball territory over (but not touching) dead ball territory can still make a legal catch.

[tibear]

Bob,

With all due respect I think the "or over the playing surface" deals directly with the leaping catch. I can't remember where I read it but I remember reading somewhere that the umpire is to try to line up the fielder's feet with the DBT when a catch is made. If the feet are completely in DBT(on ground or in the air) then it is to be ruled a foul ball.