Voluntary Release
 

How do you judge voluntary release? What do you watch for? Any routine things that you look for to determine catch/no catch? We can certainly discuss the obvious things as well as maybe the finer points of voluntary release...

It's not hard. Did he release the ball on purpose? Did he reach in with his throwing hand to remove the ball or flip it out of his glove intentionally.

There is an element of judgement involved here though...which can lead to some gray area...I'm not disagreeing w/ your post by any means...thanks for your thoughts

I've heard folks say that you can watch for the direction of the ball. For example, trying to turn a DP, F4 gloves the ball and it falls straight down (no catch) or it "falls" toward left field (catch and dropped on the release).

that's a good one MIB.. see there are more of these...just because F9 reaches into his glove and the ball comes out...do we have voluntary release?

The actions of player will usually "tell" you:

• F9 snags the fly ball and sets for the throw, at the same time reaching into the glove and loosing his grip on the ball. F9's arm is still in motion to make a throw, but the ball's on the ground. This is a no-brainer!
• F9 raised his glove to make the catch then brings the glove to his chest. His throwing hand reaches into the glove and the ball falls out. F9 stops dead in his tracks. This one requires you to umpire!

I'm getting an out if at all possible!