Video of Catch at ESPN Rise Softball Tournament-- out or homerun?

[sluggers]

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Here is the video of the catch. What do you think?

The player jumps and catches the ball as she was on the field of play. However, when she lands she is out out of the field of play.

Before the catch is made the fence is knocked down.

 

[Comp]

Catch is made prior to the fence being horizontal to the ground. It is a legal catch.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

That is clearly a catch.

 

[sluggers]

I should never have posted the video. Why let facts get in the way of a good argument?

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Agree ... this was a catch.

Not to take away from the Athletics, because they are a very good team, but throughout the tournament it was my opinion that they were receiving favorable umpiring. At many or their games the 1B coach and 1B umpire would enter into long discussions during the game, giving the appearance of being overly friendly for a national caliber tournament. At many of the Athletics games it was clear that the coaches were on friendly terms with the umpiring staff. Even in the final game, this was evident prior to the game start. We chuckled when the balls were placed on the field ... and were first brought to the Athletic coach for him to "inspect" and get his approval ... we did not see the same curtsey extended to the opposing team.

Overall, the Premier was a great tournament .... but it would be better if we didn't use umpires that were overly friendly towards certain teams.

Overall, I thought the umpiring for the majority of the tournament was ***EXCELLENT*** ..... just would like to see the friendliness factor removed.

 

[BretMan]

I thought it sounded like a catch from the written descriptions. Now, having seen it, I'm convinced it was a catch!

The only thing that would make it not a catch would be if there was some loss of ball possession while the fence was on the ground and the player was lying on top of it. I have to assume there wasn't as the video offers no evidence otherwise.

 

[FPump]

Catch. Batter out. Under any rule set.
Question...were there any runners on base?

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

There was one runner on base, with two outs. This 'umpire call' resulted in two runs being scored.

 

[FPump]

There was one runner on base, with two outs. This 'umpire call' resulted in two runs being scored.

What was the "umpire call"???

 

[sluggers]

The umpire called the hit a home run. He ruled the player was out of bounds when the catch was made.