Rules question

[default]

The batter has 2 strikes, she foul tips the ball into the bare hand and chest protector of the catcher, the catcher bobbles the ball and finally catches it, it never hit the ground.

The umpire said that since the ball hit the chest protector the ball is considered dead.

Our coach argued that the batter should be out but ump wouldn't rule otherwise.

In almost 30 years of coaching this has never happened before that I am aware of.

What's the ruling?

 

[default]

To be a foul tip (ie: a strike and live ball, same as a swing and a miss) the following must be met:

- the pitch must barely nick the bat and go "sharply and directly" (in a straight line) to the catcher's hand or mitt.

- the ball must then be caught and securely held before touching the ground.

On the play you describe, if the ball FIRST touched the catcher's hand/mitt, it can then rebound off the catcher's mask, chest protector, shin guards, whatever, be trapped against her body or bobbled, as long as the ball is eventually securely held in the hand or mitt.

If the nicked ball goes directly from the bat and FIRST hits anything else besides the catcher's hand/mitt, then it is simply a foul/dead ball, regardless of the ball being eventually caught.

One more variable: if the nicked ball comes off the bat not in a straight line, but rather with some perceivable arc, this cannot be a foul tip. If this arcing ball is eventually caught by the catcher before touching the ground, no matter what it first hits, you have a caught fly ball and the batter is out.

 

[default]

The umpire got one right. ;D

 

[default]

Thanks Bretman, Had never seen this before. Thought it would be like any other foul ball that had not hit the ground. It hit her bare hand first.

What if she had caught it bare hand first without touching anything else?
Dead ball?

 

[default]

If it hit her bare hand FIRST, the umpire got it wrong!

If it went straight to her bare hand and was caught, it would be the same as any other catch on a foul tip- strike to the batter, ball remains live. And probably a sore hand!

 

[default]

the hand needed iced as soon as she got in the dugout.
another girl took a bunt off her chin and the catcher was holding the ice bag to her teammates chin.

 

[default]

Teamwork AND efficiency!

That is the kind of attitude you want to see.....