I thought i heard somewhere that it was a rule that the fielder must have at least one foot on the ground for there to be a out. So If they reach other into the stands they need to have one foot on the ground. Or is reaching in a dugout? I thought maybe if that was the case the rule was simply not really enforced anymore. Can anyone clear this up or direct me to the rule?
2007-05-21 18:43:43 · 8 answers · asked by TGBoston 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
There is no such rule. Otherwise, you would not have fantastic diving catches.
When it comes to a fielder leaping to catch a ball and then going over the fence, the fielder's status is determined by where he was before he leaped.
2007-05-21 19:19:03 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, no such rule. MLB rules define a catch as:
"A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional."
Nothing in there about having one's feet on the ground.
2007-05-22 02:01:06 · answer #2 · answered by JerH1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Official baseball rules do not require a defensive player to be in contact with the ground when a catch is made.
2007-05-22 11:48:30 · answer #3 · answered by dwmatty19 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't need to be touching the ground to be an out. You can reach in the stands or be jumping in the air but you have to keep control of the ball, i.e. don't drop ball or let it roll out of your mitt, until you are standing back on the playing surface.
2007-05-22 02:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by Ocho Cinco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are confusing this with the catch in bounds rule in the nfl...you have to have both feet planted on the ground in the nfl and one foot in college football but in baseball as long as the ball stays in the glove its an out
2007-05-22 02:35:32 · answer #5 · answered by prince4816 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen a pro game where guy caught ball falling over the fence held it up the ball crawled back in and batter was called out.
2007-05-22 01:53:48 · answer #6 · answered by Exordium 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just like the last answer.. NO! got ball in mitt? you're OUT! as long as you hit the ground w/ the ball securely in your mitt..
2007-05-22 01:51:53 · answer #7 · answered by blick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-05-22 01:46:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋