Catch Made-Glove Becomes Detached
 

ML Rules

In 4-29- LAA@TB game, Felipe Lopez lined a ball to left center and LAA CF Peter Bourjos made a diving catch. After hitting the ground, his glove came off with the ball in it.

He picked up glove and took ball out and threw back to IF and out was recorded.

This ok?

Lee,

No, that ain't a catch.

The glove coming off does not meet the "voluntary release" clause.

JM

I agree this does not meet voluntary release requirements, it is not a catch when a fielder falls down and loses possession of the ball (2.00). While there is no wording that requires the ball to contact the ground I think there is enough implication to neccessitate his continued posession - 2.00 CATCH says it is not a catch if he drops the ball following a collision or fall. I'd say, losing the glove, even if the ball stays in it, is a drop of the ball.

There may be a J/R case play out there someone could reference...

Jaksa/Roder:

A line drive at the pitcher is gloved airborne, but the glove/ball combination is ripped off the pitcher's hand and drops to the ground, the ball still in the glove: no catch. A glove not attached to the hand of the fielder is equivalent to the ground.

In 4-29- LAA@TB game, Felipe Lopez lined a ball to left center and LAA CF Peter Bourjos made a diving catch. After hitting the ground, his glove came off with the ball in it.

He picked up glove and took ball out and threw back to IF and out was recorded.


"Jaksa/Roder:

A line drive at the pitcher is gloved airborne, but the glove/ball combination is ripped off the pitcher's hand and drops to the ground, the ball still in the glove: no catch. A glove not attached to the hand of the fielder is equivalent to the ground."


So the MLB umpires got it wrong?

Without seeing the replay and going only on what Lee posted, I would say they missed it.

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | LAA@TB: Bourjos dives to take a hit from Lopez - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

In viewing this play, I do think there was a voluntary release and therefore, they got it right IMO.

Thanks for posting the replay. Yes, I would go with the MLB umpire's call...

Not what I envisioned from the OP...Great Catch. OUT!!! Good call.

After seeing the play, I definitely would call this an out.

You left out a word.

"After hitting the ground, his glove ALMOST came off with the ball in it."

Looks like he reached into his glove with right hand and secured the ball and while withdrawing the ball the glove came off.

Catch.

Clearly, the fielder took his hand out of the glove after making the catch. Good call.

Could not make out that post... can you print with larger font??