Left early on a caught fly

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

That conversation has already been had. He didn't believe me on that either, until this got discussed in the umpire room. He does now.

There's an interesting (using the term loosely) discussion on this same play on the baseball board. There seems to be disagreement (including by me) regarding whether a catch is "a play" with regard to awarding of bases. A large contingent says it is not, and that the "first play by an infielder" was the overthrow, so the award should have been TOP, not TOT. Thoughts?

This, of course, is an immaterial side conversation, since it has no bearing on any softball ruling, since we don't care if first or subsequent play, or if by an infielder or an outfielder, when awarding bases.

Strictly for the academic discussion, does baseball not have an equivalent definition of a "play", being an attempt by the defense to put out an offensive player?? If so, how can the catch (which DID put out the batter-runner) NOT be a play?