FIELDER CATCHES THE BASEBALL BUT GLOVE DROPS TO GROUND

by Don Hickey
(Leesburg, Florida)

If a line shot is hit back to the pitcher and it knocks off his glove but stay’s in his glove and he picks up the glove without it hitting the ground what’s the call??? Is the runner out ???

COACH HENZE’S ANSWER

Thanks for the question Don!

For any catch to be legal, the baseball fielder must have complete possession of the ball before it touches the ground. In this case, the fielder does not have complete possession and the ball hits the ground (even though it is in the glove).

So, if a fielder catches the baseball but the glove drops to the ground with the baseball still in it, it is NOT an out.

Thanks again for the question!