Baseball Rules

[urbisoler]

1. It is my understanding that a defensive player can go INTO the stands
(foul territory only) to make a legal catch of a foul ball. Is that accurate?

2. It is my understanding that a rule written in 1974 re: Consecutive Game
Hitting Streaks could NOT be broken by bases on balls, HBP, etc. so long
as no official at bat is recorded. My question is: What was the ruling
BEFORE 1974?

[Brian McKenna]

1) True

2) You have the idea but it can be broken with a sac. fly. All streaks are judged by that standard, even the older ones if that's the point.

[RuthMayBond]

1. It is my understanding that a defensive player can go INTO the stands
(foul territory only) to make a legal catch of a foul ball. Is that accurate?
Why can't an outfielder reach into the seats to pull back a home run?

[urbisoler]

He can! He just can't go into the stands.

[bluezebra]

He can! He just can't go into the stands.

Exactly. And it's been done numerous times.

Bob

[Behrendj]

The easy way to remember this is that the ball on the playing field belongs to the players. But the ball in the stand belongs to the Fans.:waving

[urbisoler]

But the ball in the stand belongs to the Fans.:waving[/QUOTE]

Behrendj - Not according to what I have learned. A foul ball, in the stands, is anybody's. A ballplayer CAN go into the stands to try to catch it. Very often, the fans will get to it first but it has happened that a ballplayer will catch it for the out.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Does this mean that a player could theoretically jump the wall and run up the steps on a high pop-foul, catch the ball, and the batter would be out? Or does it simply mean that he can jump to catch it, and even if he lands in the stands it still counts (like we sometimes see on Sportscentre). I don't think that the first one is correct. If it is, I've never seen it...

As for rule number two, here is quote from pbs.org:

June 28, Game 40, Yankees at Philadelphia Athletics (away)
Each pitcher who takes the mound against DiMaggio wants to be the one to stop the streak, figuring it will be a proud feather in his cap. The Athletics’ Johnny Babich, who lost an outing on a DiMaggio hit during Joe’s 61-game hitting streak in the Pacific Coast League, seems more determined than any.

"I’ll get him out the first time," Babich predicts. "and walk him the next three times. That’ll stop him." Yankee players promise to retaliate if Babich lives up to his word. DiMaggio fails to get a hit his first time up.
Then Babich, appearing to follow through on his promise, throws three balls to DiMaggio in the fourth inning. Babich delivers what would have been ball 4, crossing the plate way outside.

However, DiMaggio has plans of his own. He leans out over the plate and swings hard. The line drive rips high and tight between Babich’s legs. Adding insult to near-injury, DiMaggio stretches the single into a double.
The streak survives.

[bluezebra]

Does this mean that a player could theoretically jump the wall and run up the steps on a high pop-foul, catch the ball, and the batter would be out? Or does it simply mean that he can jump to catch it, and even if he lands in the stands it still counts (like we sometimes see on Sportscentre). I don't think that the first one is correct. If it is, I've never seen it...

As for rule number two, here is quote from pbs.org:

A player may not go into the stands to make a legal catch. If he makes the catch, and falls into the stands, and retains possession, it's a catch.

OBR DEFINITIONS
CATCH.."A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is "held up" and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed."

Bob

[jbooth]

Behrendj - Not according to what I have learned. A foul ball, in the stands, is anybody's. A ballplayer CAN go into the stands to try to catch it. Very often, the fans will get to it first but it has happened that a ballplayer will catch it for the out.

The player can lean over the fenc/rail and reach over into the stands to catch a ball, but it isn't a legal catch if he goes over the fence and is actually IN the stands when he touches the ball. He has to have some part of his body on the playing field side of the fence when he touches the ball. He can then fall into the stands and it is still a catch if he holds onto the ball.

An outfielder is the same. He can climb the fence and reach over and pull the ball back, but he can't jump over the fence and be on the other side and make a legal catch.

Here is the explanation and sample plays from the MLB Umpire's Manual;

(1) Catcher catches a foul pop-up on the field of play, and momentum carries him into the dugout. While in the dugout the catcher drops the ball in attempting to throw it.
Ruling: Legal catch. "Time" is called and all runners awarded two bases from the time the catcher dropped the ball (time of throw).
(2) Catcher catches a foul pop-up on the field of play, and momentum carries him into the dugout. While in the dugout he falls down.
Ruling: Legal catch. "Time" is called and all runners awarded one base from the time of the pitch.
(3) Catcher catches a foul pop-up on the field of play, and momentum carries him into the dugout. While in the dugout the catcher falls down, then drops the ball.
Ruling: Foul ball.
(4) Catcher makes a diving catch and slides into the dugout after catching the ball. The catcher ends up on the floor of the dugout, face-down, with possession of the ball.
Ruling: Legal catch. "Time" is called and all runners awarded one base from the time of the pitch.
(5) Bases loaded, one out. Fielder catches ball and momentum carries him into the stands. May the fielder throw for a play?
Ruling: No. "Time" is called and all runners advance one base.

The fielder is confined to the limits of the playing field, but may reach over any fence, railing, or any line of demarcation to make a catch. The fielder may also jump on top of a railing marking the boundary of the field or on any tarp that may be on foul ground in order to make a play. (See also Section 8.1 [Legal Catch].)

8.1 LEGAL CATCH
The following guidelines shall apply in ruling whether the ball was or was not caught:
(1) If a fielder, after catching the ball, crashes into a stand and drops the ball, it is not a catch.
(2) If one fielder collides with another and drops the ball, or if, after he has caught the ball, another fielder collides with him and the ball is dropped, it is not a catch.
(3) If a fielder gets a hand or hands on the ball and falls down in the attempt, he must "come up" with the ball to be ruled a catch.
A ball will be ruled caught when the momentum of the catch is completed and the player voluntarily releases the ball.
A fielder may not jump over any fence, railing, or rope marking the limits of the playing field in order to catch the ball. A fielder may (1) reach over such fence, railing, or rope to make a catch;
(2) fall over the same after completing the catch; (3) jump on top of a railing or fence marking the boundary of the field to make a catch; or (4) climb onto a fence or on a field canvas and catch the ball. In all four cases the catch would be legal, as dictated by the best judgment of the umpire.
The same restrictions apply to a foul ball descending into a stand. A catcher or fielder may not jump into a stand to catch such a ball, but reaching into the stand and making the play is permitted.
Play: Bases loaded, one out. Fielder catches fly ball and momentum carries him into the stands.
Fielder remains standing. Can the fielder throw for a play?
Ruling: No. "Time" is called and all runners advance one base.
A fielder may reach or step into, or go into the dugout with one or both feet to make a catch, and if he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. The ball is in play. (See Official Baseball Rule
7.04(c).) Note: A club, by local ground rule, may prohibit fielders from entering the dugout to make a catch.