Home Run? Out?

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:
On a deep fly ball to the fence, the outfielder makes a grab and falls over the fence or thru a collapsible fence. Home run or out? Does anyone have a Fed rule?

If it's a permanent fence and the fielder catches the ball and falls over the fence, it's a catch (as long as he maintains control of the ball), the batter is out, the ball is dead and, with less than two out, baserunners move up one base. The FED rule is 2-9-1 (definition of a catch) and 8-3-3-d (one-base award).

If it's not a permanent fence, it's a ground rule. Around here, if the fielder moves the fence to catch the ball, it's a home run. The fielder can't extend the field by stepping on the fence.

Fed 2-9-1 A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a live ball in flight and firmly holding it. It is considered a catch if a fielder catches a fair or foul ball and then steps or falls into a bench, dugout, stand, bleacher, or over any boundary or barrier, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, or a pregame determined boundary.

Fed 5-1-1i The ball is immediately dead when a fielder catches a fair or foul ball and then steps or falls into a bench, dugout, stand, bleacher, or over any boundary or barrier, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, or a pregame determined boundary.

Fed 8-3-3d Each runner is awarded one base when a fielder catches a fair or foul ball and then steps or falls into a bench, dugout, stand, bleacher, or over any boundary or barrier, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, or a pregame determined boundary.