Legal catch over fence?

[rbmartin]

I saw a highlight from a recent college game where an outfielder leaps to rob the batter of a home run and goes completely over the outfield fence during the process of making the catch. Is this a legal catch? I thought the player must remain or "land back" in play for the catch to be legal.
I am not an umpire so please forgive me if this question sounds stupid.

[TwoBits]

The catch is legal and the batter is out. They've been playing the highlight all weekend on "Sportscenter".

[ctblu40]

Some New England umpires might reconize this as our own Quinnipiac University!

[tibear]

As long as the outfield didn't have a foot touch the ground in the dead ball territory and at least one foot over the playing field when the ball was caught it is a legal catch.

[tw1ns]

correct me if I am wrong....which has been known to happen...
if the fielder carries the ball into dead ball area, assuming there are baserunners aren't they awarded a base?

[rbmartin]

Originally Posted by tibear

As long as the outfield didn't have a foot touch the ground in the dead ball territory and at least one foot over the playing field when the ball was caught it is a legal catch.

So if he would have contacted the ground in dead ball territory before making the catch it would have been ruled a home run?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

So if he would have contacted the ground in dead ball territory before making the catch it would have been ruled a home run?

Yes, in NCAA and (I think) OBR

[tibear]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

So if he would have contacted the ground in dead ball territory before making the catch it would have been ruled a home run?

Yes it would be a home run. It is the same rule as any other DBT line. i.e. foul line

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by tibear

Yes it would be a home run. It is the same rule as any other DBT line. i.e. foul line

The foul line does not mark DBT.

[tibear]

Thanks mb, of course you're right. Brain fart!!!!

[bossman72]

If his leap originates from LBT and he doesn't physically touch DBT before making the catch, then it is a good catch.

If there were runners on base (less than 2 out), they would be awarded one base.