Out or not?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Correct, it would require being away from the catcher for a reach or a move.

I'm a jacka$$ when it comes to grammar; and a stickler when a rule is restated colloquially, rather than in rule book language. I aspologize if I hurt anyone's last feeling.

SharpLY and directLY means you cannot see an observable change of direction as a result of the "tip". That is actually a physical impossibility, as any contact MUST, by the laws of physics, change direction (every action/force must result in an equal but opposite reaction).

If there is an observable change of direction as a result of the contact, be it up, down, to a side, or any combination; if that ball is caught, it is an out. Fair or foul, it is a batted ball caught in flight that is NOT a foul tip.

The exception noted by Manny is a ball contacted by the batter that does not have an observable change of direction, but contacts the catcher first somewhere OTHER than hand or glove. THAT is a foul ball, and a dead ball, grounded by contacting the catcher.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

The exception noted by Manny is a ball contacted by the batter that does not have an observable change of direction, but contacts the catcher first somewhere OTHER than hand or glove. THAT is a foul ball, and a dead ball, grounded by contacting the catcher.

And that rule could stand a bit of an adjustment

[josephrt1]

SharpLY and directLY means you cannot see an observable change of direction as a result of the "tip". That is actually a physical impossibility, as any contact MUST, by the laws of physics, change direction (every action/force must result in an equal but opposite reaction).

The exception noted by Manny is a ball contacted by the batter that does not have an observable change of direction, but contacts the catcher first somewhere OTHER than hand or glove. THAT is a foul ball, and a dead ball, grounded by contacting the catcher.[/QUOTE]
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Steve, your comment on a ball contacted by the batter but contacts the catcher first other than hand or glove is a foul, dead ball is the way i learned it and play it. (doesn't happen much) But i just checked the wording in the rule and it is actually a little confusing.

Foul ball definition says "Foul Ball: A batted ball that: G. Goes directly from the bat to any part of the catcher's body or equipment and is caught by another fielder". Why does it say caught by another fielder? What if it is caught by the catcher herself?

And just a light hearted response on defying the laws of physics. The rule does say directly from the bat to the the glove or hand. So the anticipated slight change in direction when the ball contacts the bat should allow Sir Issac to rest peacefully.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

If there is an observable change of direction as a result of the contact, be it up, down, to a side, or any combination; if that ball is caught, it is an out. Fair or foul, it is a batted ball caught in flight that is NOT a foul tip.

I'd like to know how a change in direction can be observable in that short a distance between the bat and the catcher. The only way I can see that is if the ball doesn't go sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher.

Suppose the pitch is so low that, had the batter not contacted the ball, it might hit the dirt before the catcher fields it. But because the batter swung below the ball and nicked it such that the ball goes back up towards the catcher's mask, hits off her mask and goes up in the air, and is then eventually caught by the catcher, are you saying above that that is considered an observable change in direction, and this should be a batted ball caught in flight? I hope not, because there's nothing in the rule that says the direction the ball was going prior to being contacted by the bat has to be taken into account.

Or am I confused by your point?

[MT 73]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I'd like to know how a change in direction can be observable in that short a distance between the bat and the catcher. The only way I can see that is if the ball doesn't go sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher.

Suppose the pitch is so low that, had the batter not contacted the ball, it might hit the dirt before the catcher fields it. But because the batter swung below the ball and nicked it such that the ball goes back up towards the catcher's mask, hits off her mask and goes up in the air, and is then eventually caught by the catcher, are you saying above that that is considered an observable change in direction, and this should be a batted ball caught in flight? I hope not, because there's nothing in the rule that says the direction the ball was going prior to being contacted by the bat has to be taken into account.

Or am I confused by your point?

I am still working on how sharp and direct defies the law of physics.