OBR 2.00 · OBR 5.09(a)(1)
What counts as a catch
A catch requires secure possession of the ball in the hand or glove plus a voluntary release — a fielder who clamps the ball but drops it only when he hits the ground has usually not caught it. Control through contact is the whole test.
Key points
- Secure possession, then a voluntary and intentional release. Bobbles that end in control before the ball touches the ground are catches.
- Ball off the wall, the ground, or another fielder's glove can still be caught before it touches the ground.
- A fielder who carries a caught ball into dead-ball territory keeps the catch, but the ball becomes dead and runners advance one base.
- Replay can and does overturn catch/no-catch calls — slow motion has tightened what 'secure' means.
In a game
Outfielder makes a diving grab, rolls, and the ball pops out when his elbow hits the turf.
Ruling · No catch unless he held it long enough to demonstrate control and a voluntary release — the classic 'survive the ground' question.
Why it moves the scoreboard
Catch versus trap decides outs, hits, and sacrifice flies — a single overturned catch call can swing an inning's run expectancy.
Related rules