Were we robbed? Question for umps.

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Jan 27, 2010
1,871
83
NJ
Playing for the final Premier spot at the PGF tourney. Bases loaded and our SS jacks one towards the fence. LF is playing about 8-10' off the temporary fence. She runs back and has a hand on the fence. She pushes it down and back some and dives over to make the snag from about 3ft past the fence had it been in it's original configuration. Blue signals out and I say you can't deform the fence to make the catch. You can fall over it but you can't push it down before leaping. I'm asked to move away from the backstop which I do.

Am I anywhere in the ballpark?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
As long as she was established in fair territory before making the catch and was not on the fence with the fence completely horizontal it is a legal catch.

Pgf uses nfhs rules with some pitching modifications. If this had been USA a downed fence actually becomes an extension of the field and the fielder can stand on it after it's down to complete the catch.
 
Last edited:

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
I too, thought that the OF could not go through or over temporary fence unless she maintains footing in the field of play.

Is it an out if OF hops over the fence and catches the ball while she's in the air and then lands on the otherside?

in ASA, if the fence is knocked down , it extends the field to where the fence is lying?

just trying to understand something I was never too clear on. thanks!
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Nothing in the rules require the fielder to be in physical contact with fair territory at the time of the catch. As long as they were established in fair territory at the time of their leap, yes they can leap over the fence, catch the ball in the air and as long as they have control of the ball before contacting dead ball territory it is a catch. If the fielder makes contact with dead ball territory prior to securing the ball, then it is not a catch.
 
Jan 27, 2010
1,871
83
NJ
I wasn't concerned so much about where she ended up but rather that her pushing the fence down allowed her to get over it to make the catch. Solid fence and she doesn't.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Thats the problem with temporary collapsible fences and the rules regarding them. As long as she hadnt touched dead ball territory prior to the catch and the fence wasnt completely horizontal it is a legal catch.
 

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