Mookie Betts makes catch, but drops after falling over wall for home run
In a play initially ruled a catch, the replay system awarded Jose Abreu a home run.
By
Matt Snyder
•
2 min read
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu appeared to have been robbed of extra bases on the video below by Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts, but replay reviews showed Betts dropped the ball once he tumbled over the right-center wall in Fenway Park and the officials awarded Abreu a home run.
Let's take a look.
This is a real tough one. First off, let's note that the White Sox won 9-4, so put the result aside. This wasn't going to impact the game. Was this particular call correct, though? Let's take a look.
Betts clearly had caught the ball and ran for a few steps. Here's the definition of a catch, I'll emphasize the parts that seem to matter:
A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.
Rule 2.00 (Catch) Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk.
If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is ?held up? and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.
The simultaneously or immediately part of the rule seems to matter here, doesn't it? Couldn't it be argued that Betts taking several steps before getting to the wall meant he already made the catch, since the contact wasn't immediate? Thus, anything coming afterward was irrelevant.
The last bolded part, though, notes that Betts needed to prove his release of the ball was voluntary. It clearly wasn't voluntary.
Then again, it also says that he needs to hold the ball long enough to prove he has complete control. It seems like he did that.
So, yes, this is a tough one.
Abreu was awarded a home run, as already noted. Was this the correct call? Let's hear it. Feel free to get Dez Bryant on the case as well.
