Detached equipment (NCAA)
 

12.12.9 (Paraphrased) The effect of a fielder touching or catching a fair batted ball, or a foul batted ball that may become fair, with detached equipment, is a 3-base award to the batter.

Sit. 1:F2 settles under a fly ball just ahead of HP, mask off, held in hand. Bobbles the catch, and gathers it in and secures it with her mask (then dumps it into her mitt).

Sit. 2:F2 settles under a fly ball just ahead of HP, mask off, held in hand. Gust of wind, ball doesn't touch the mitt, but she gathers it in with her mask (then dumps it into her mitt).

Sit.3: Batted ball trickles up the baseline in foul ground. As it nears the chalk, F2 swats at it with her mask to make sure it stays foul.

Batter gets 3rd?

Good question for sure. I do not know NCAA nor how NFHS would rule. My thought is that Sit#1and #3 are OK, #2 an infraction. I'll be interested to see what is correct.

My $.02

1: Now a thrown ball due to the bobble - 2 bases.

2: 3 bases

3: 3 bases

Highlighted portion is one of the dumber statements in the NCAA rules

Same as OBR.

As if that is a valid endorsement :)

The exact rule is on page 142

12.12.9 A fielder shall not intentionally contact or catch a fair batted ball or with a batted foul ball, which might become fair, with her cap, helmet, mask, chest protector, glove/mitt or any part of her uniform that is detached from its proper place or her person

You also need to keep in mind 9.2.4 on page 88 that states there is no catch when "the fielder uses any equipment or part of her uniform that is displaced from its proper position." The effect is a 3 base award, possibly 4 base if going over the fence for a home run

My opinion

Sit 1: Delayed Dead Ball, 3 base award. 12.12.9 may or may not apply depending on if I deem it intentional but my reading of 9.2.4 does not require it to be intentional.

Sit 2: Same as above

Sit 3: This depends entirely on what the ball is doing. If the ball at the time of the swat is going away from the line I have a foul ball. Going toward it I probably have 12.12.9 and 9.2.4, which is the same DDB and 3 base award.

I have asked for the proper ruling, will report back if different

I can't wait to call this in a ball game and watch what happens......

I have nightmares about certain situations I have to call, this one was added to the list

And that's saying something.....

FWIW, I can't see why Sit. 3 is a DDB by rule. As soon as she touches that foul ball, irrespective of its proximity to the line, it's dead.

I honestly doubt I will ever see in my lifetime a college catcher with her mask in her hand while settling under a fly ball near home plate. :p

Then she needs to learn her position. If the mask is removed, the catcher should hold onto the mask until s/he can determine exactly where s/he needs to set up to make the catch and then discard the mask in an area where s/he will not trip over it.

BTW, I knew that in 1964 when I occasionally caught on my youth baseball team :)