Out of play

[KenL.nation]

Umpiring in the Babe and Senoir Babe Ruth, all sorts of fields with their unique ground rules. Especially concerning the out of play lines. Now my question is,
if a fielder can reach over a fence which defines foul ground and out of play. How about the fields that don't have a fence. Can a fielder like F3 run to the determined out of play line and reach over to catch the ball or is it treated like foul territory,(where the ball is). I've been told that the ball can't be played on the out of play side, but how many times have we seen the reach over and get an out where there is a fence.

[dileonardoja]

In my area he can most certainly reach over the imaginary line and make a catch as long as no body part is touching DBT. As a matter of fact it is still a catch if the fielder momentum carries him into DBT after the catch. If the fielder falls after entering DBT it will be DB and bases awarded.

Throwing the ball from DBT is another question. usually it is discussed that the fielder must return to LBT before throwing the ball however what is the penalty if they throw it from BDT? DB; award one base from time of throw?

[mbyron]

AFAIK, no code holds that a ball OVER DBT is dead: it is dead only after touching DBT. So a fielder may legally catch a fly ball provided that neither he nor the ball has contacted DBT when the ball is caught.

If the fielder subsequently enters DBT, it's "catch and carry" -- the BR is out, the ball is dead, and other runners are awarded 1 base.

The issue of whether a fielder may throw the ball from DBT is moot, since the ball will be dead.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbyron

AFAIK, no code holds that a ball OVER DBT is dead: it is dead only after touching DBT. So a fielder may legally catch a fly ball provided that neither he nor the ball has contacted DBT when the ball is caught.

The fielder can catch the ball while "Straddling" the line in FED, but not in NCAA or OBR.

If the fielder subsequently enters DBT, it's "catch and carry" -- the BR is out, the ball is dead, and other runners are awarded 1 base.

The issue of whether a fielder may throw the ball from DBT is moot, since the ball will be dead.

The ball is dead in FED, but remains live in NCAA and OBR (assuming it's not over an outfield fence or into a spectator area),