In a game recently and had a very controversial play although it ended up not costing the game decision. Here it is-

There is one out nobody on base. My pitcher is ahead in the count 0-2. He throws strike three and the batter swings through it and misses it. The umpire assuming the pitch was caught says "strike three batters out. The only problem is that the ball deflected off the catchers mit and went back behind the chest protector. About the time the catcher is fumbling to get the ball from out behind his protector the opposing coach notices and sends his batter to first. By this time the catcher had the ball in hand and had thrown it back to my pitcher. So I yell- "tag him out, throw to first". So my pitcher runs over and tags out the runner heading to first.

Needless to say a long controversy insued over whether the disappearing ball constitutes a "lodged ball" in the catchers equipment. I maintained that the ball although disappearing never bcame actually "lodged" and out of play. After all, the ball could of just as easily (its a stretch but imagine if you will) deflected off the catchers mit, hit the catchers helmet knocking it off and going inside the mask. So what is the ruling?

What determines to the umpire if a ball becomes "lodged and out of play"? Is it a ball that literally gets stuck in the catchers or umpires equipment that can't be easily pulled free, or is it just a disappearing ball behind or inside the catchers clothing or paraphanelia?

FED says the ball is immediately dead, whether or not the catcher can "dislodge" the ball, and runners advance 1 base (except the batter, who is out on strikes). In NCAA and OBR, the ball does not become dead unless it is unplayable (umpire judgment). Same penalty as in FED if it is ruled dead.