NFHS Discrepancy on Detached Equip

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Interesting... even after control is shown in the mitt, it would still be ruled as if the ball hit the ground?

Yes. The language says:

"A catch shall not be credited if:
.
.
.
c. The fielder uses any equipment or part of her uniform that is displaced from its proper position."

There is no mention of intent in "c". So even if the ball inadvertently rolls into her removed helmet/mask, it still meets the language of "c".

Now, if, for example, the ball had somehow rolled into her jersey or behind her chest protector, and she reaches in and grabs the ball before it falls to the ground, that would be a legal catch. In those cases, the equipment or uniform are not displaced from their proper position.