ASA February Clarifications

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Definition of muff (BTW, first defined as a noun)

transitive verb
1
:
to handle awkwardly

2
:
to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch

intransitive verb
1
:
to act or do something stupidly or clumsily
2
:
to muff a ball — compare fumble
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Definition of fumble
intransitive verb
1
a
:
to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
b
:
to make awkward attempts to do or find something
c
:
to search by trial and error
d
:
blunder
2
:
to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3
a
:
to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
b
:
to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
transitive verb
1
:
to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2
a
:
to feel or handle clumsily
b
:
to deal with in a blundering way
:
bungle
3
:
to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4
a
:
misplay
b
:
to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

To me, without using a dictionary, the difference between a muff and a fumble is similar to the difference between failing to catch a ball and the rule for an intentional drop. You cannot drop that which you have not first caught; you cannot fumble that which you have muffed. Both the drop and the fumble require prior control; the muff describes failing to control it to begin with.