Watching the UNC / Fresno game something happened which got me thinking (I know - not a good thing).

Batter pops bunt up in foul territory and catcher is running after it. Just before it hits the ground he sticks his mask out and catches the ball.

Is this a legal catch? Would it be a legal catch when he switches the ball to his hand or glove?

Or is this illegal because it still falls under the can't use equipment - throwing a glove, throwing the mask - to stop the ball?

Thanks

SOUNDS ILLEGAL "DETACHED PLAYER EQUIPMENT" TWO BASES.

Foul.

Hmmmm. The contact was in foul territory? Gotta go with Dash on this one.

Intentional detached player equipment:

Fair batted ball over/above the fence - 4 bases
Fair batted ball - 3 bases
Live thrown ball - 2 bases
Pitch - 1 base

Reminds me of poker. Leaping up and saving one from going over the fence with your cap is the straight flush.

NCAA 8-2:
h. If a fielder interferes intentionally with a batted fair ball with detached player equipment, or with a batted foul ball that in the opinion of the umpire might become fair, each runner is awarded three bases. The ball remains live.

So Dash and Jimmy are right-- unless the ball had a chance to go fair.

quote:

Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:

So Dash and Jimmy are right-- unless the ball had a chance to go fair.

I'm not giving 3 bases on a foul bunt. I'm 100% sure the ball had no chance of being fair. It's one of those situations where you don't HTBT.

3 bases on a fair ball or a ball that has a chance to be fair...(umpire judgment)........

call this one foul.......

agree with jimmy/dash/3finger on this......I ran this by my asssociation meeting tonight......all agree foul.....

Thanks guys - I appreciate it.