Catch?
 

I witnessed an 8U player attempt to catch a popup, the ball goes through her glove and ends up between her elbows. Umpire signals out. Is this a legal catch? From what I've read after searching other posts it sounds like it is not.

What happened next? Did she gain control of the ball before it hit the ground or did she drop it?:confused:

Jeff
NFHS Umpire
NCAA Umpire
ASA Umpire

Sp far, I don't have a catch. As soon as this fielder or another reach in and grab the ball, I have a catch - because it's controlled & has a voluntary release. Then again, in 8&U, maybe you're getting an out wherever you can.

Play is right at 2B. Gets worse, umpire signals out while ball between elbows, she drops it, runner steps off base, is tagged, in a very close play, umpire signals out again. I hope I don't make the same mistake.

Did she voluntarily drop it or did it come loose because it wasn't controlled? If she has control of it between her elbows, I have an out.:)

Having worked 8u I agree with what Steve said. if you cna get an out getit!
Of course our 8U games are usually endind to watch the moms go WWE in the stands. :)

Having the ball pinned between a couple of body parts - isn't that what we've got with the ball between the elbows - can't be controlled. It's controlled when it's grabbed with a hand or glove.

Speaking ASA

It is not a catch until firmly held by a defender in the glove or hand prior to touching the ground or objest other then another defender.

A player cannot voluntarily release a ball never controlled.

See the smiley face at the end of my post? I was being sarcastic but I guess the emotion was lost in cyberspace...

Tom,
Then I mis-read it. I know it's not the first time I've mis-read one and I suspect it won't be the last.

I've got a no-catch until the ball is obviously under the player's control.