Anyone who watches SportsCenter or surfs the web for anything sports related has certainly seen this play.
Cub Anthony Rizzo goes up the tarp, on the lip and eventually into the stands to make a catch. The umpire originally ruled this play a no catch. After conferring as a crew, the play was changed to a catch and then a one base penalty.
Did they ultimately get it right? Yup – and here is the basis.
First – was it a catch?
The Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation Manual has this to say:
In order to make a legal catch, the fielder must have one or both feet on or over the playing surface (including the lip of the dugout) and neither foot on the ground inside the dugout or other out-of-play surface.
(2014-08-11). PBUC Umpire Manual (Kindle Locations 1880-1882). . Kindle Edition.
It is clear that Rizzo did not have a foot on the ground outside the field of play before catching the ball. He also had one foot in play and one foot over ground in the field of play.
PBUC further states:
A fielder may not jump over any fence, railing or rope marking the limits of the playing field in order to catch the ball. A fielder may (1) reach over such fence, railing or rope to make a catch; (2) fall over the same after completing the catch; (3) jump on top of a railing or fence marking the boundary of the field to make a catch; or (4) climb onto a fence or on a field canvas and catch the ball. In all four cases the catch would be legal, as dictated by the best judgment of the umpire. The same restrictions apply to a foul ball descending into a stand. A catcher or fielder may not jump into a stand to catch
(2014-08-11). PBUC Umpire Manual (Kindle Locations 3207-3212). . Kindle Edition.
On top of fence is fine. Established out of play is not fine. This was clearly a catch.
So what about giving the Brewers runner an extra base? This is correct as well.
Rule 5.06 (b) (3) (C):
(3) (7.04) Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when:
(C) A fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field;
In the end it was a great call on an even greater play.
BetterRuleBook.com 