Be Deliberate on Voluntary Release

By Brad Tittrington

In the normal course of a season, there are usually a few plays we wish we could have another look at or see from a different angle. Unless we are lucky enough to work games with replay, we don’t get the opportunity during the game to look at those plays again. We must make a decision on that split second the play happened and make the call from the one angle we have of the play.

One specific type of play where this is especially true is when a fielder catches the ball, either batted or thrown, and then loses control of the ball. Depending on our angle and what transpires on the play, it can be difficult to determine if the ball was voluntarily or involuntarily released. There are two types of plays where this scenario pops up most often, and we will look at those later in this column. But first, it is important to understand the definitions from each code to understand the fundamentals to make sure we have a baseline for getting these calls correct.

Thankfully, the four codes are almost identical in their definitions of a catch, which makes it much easier for umpires working multiple codes to stay consistent. A catch is the act of a fielder who, with the hand(s) and/or glove/mitt, securely gains possession of a batted, pitched or thrown ball. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder must prove control of the ball and the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional — USA Softball’s definition does not include the word intentional (NFHS 2-9-1, 2; NCAA 9.2.1; USA Softball 1 – Catch/No Catch; USSSA 3 – Catch).

The most common myth with dealing with catches is the concept of “long enough.” When determining a catch, there is no specific time element that defines a catch. But rest assured, anytime you have a fielder dive, crash into another fielder or hit a fence and the ball pops out of the

Caseplays

Obstruction?

Play: With R3 on third, B2 hits a ground ball back to the pitcher. F1 fields the ball and throws to F2 to make a play on R3. F2 sets up and blocks the entire plate before receiving the ball. F2 catches the ball and tags R3 before R3 reaches the plate. R3 began her slide just before F2 caught the ball, but R3, in the judgment of the umpire, was not impeded by F2’s actions and was still 10 feet from the plate when she began her slide. Ruling: In NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA, R3 is out as F2’s actions did not hinder, impede or obstruct R3 (NFHS 8-4-3b; USA Softball 8-5B, R/S 36; USSSA 8-13).

In NCAA, because the runner has begun her slide prior to F2 being in possession of the ball, this is obstruction and once R3 is tagged out, the plate umpire should make the ball dead and award R3 home (9.5.1 Note 3, AR 9-13).

Bat Warmer glove, someone will say, “She had it long enough.” None of the four rule codes rely on a time element and that vocabulary should never be used by an umpire when explaining a call to a coach. The only words that matter are control and voluntary release. Did the fielder ever control the ball? And if said fielder loses control, was it voluntary? If the answer to both is yes, it is a catch. If the answer to either parts of questions is no, it isn’t a catch. Pretty simple in theory. Let’s take a look at a couple of scenarios that are most likely to happen in a game, some issues with those plays and how to handle them.

Play: On a cold day, team A’s head coach asks the umpires if team A may use bat warmers in order to prevent bats from potentially breaking and also to keep the batter’s hands from stinging after making contact with the ball. Ruling: In NFHS, warming devices are illegal. Any bat found in a warming device should be ruled illegal and removed from the game (1-51e, 1.5.2A). In NCAA, the use of warming devices is prohibited and renders the bat altered and unsuitable for play. If discovered before being used in the batter’s box, the bat is simply removed from the team’s possession. If used in the game, the batter is declared out and ejected and the bat is removed. In all cases regarding possession or use of an inappropriate bat, the head coach is also ejected (3.4.1.2.1 and Eff., AR 3-9). In USA Softball, warming devices for bats are not approved (3-7A Note). In USSSA, bat warmers approved by USSSA are permitted (2-12).

Decisions regarding catch/no catch and voluntary versus involuntary release can be difficult for umpires, because plays can happen quickly. It’s important to know the definitions in order to get the call right. Umpires should slow down and let plays like this one develop before rushing to make a call.

Play 1: With R1 on first, B2 hits a sharp ground ball to short. F6 fields the ball and throws it to F4 at second. The ball goes into the glove and as F4 reaches into her glove to transfer the ball to her throwing hand, the ball drops out of the glove and ends up on the ground.

Ruling 1: In this situation, at least as described, F4 voluntarily released the ball. The NCAA rulebook gives the best guidance on this play as its rulebook states, “When the fielder has made the catch but drops the ball in making a secondary move such as transferring it to the throwing hand or in making a throw, the ball shall be ruled caught.” The umpire should rule R1 out and should signal out and can give a signal to show the fielder was in the act of transferring the ball on the play and then signaling out again. The one problem with this play, at least in the two-umpire system, is the base umpire may be straightlined, be behind the second baseman and unable to see the ball go into the glove and come out. Ideally, the base umpire should get an angle to see all elements of the play, but that is not always possible. Chances are, a coach will come out and question the call, regardless of which way the umpire rules. If there is any doubt, go to your plate partner and see if he or she had a different angle and can potentially help you. If you have all the elements in front of you and you see it clearly, there is no reason to go for help. Remember, it is not our job to appease coaches.

Play 2: B1 hits a fly ball in the gap to left-center field. F8 races over and secures the ball in her glove as she dives in the air. As she hits the ground, the ball initially remains in the glove. As she continues sliding, F7 loses control of the ball and it rolls out her glove. Ruling 2: This is not a catch. The covering umpire should verbalize “no catch” and signal safe to alert everyone the ball is not caught and play continues. While the fielder initially controlled the ball, the loss of control happened while sliding and it is not voluntary. The fielder did not make a secondary act, such as reaching into the glove to make a throw, when control was lost.

Play 3: B1 hits a fly ball near the right-field line. F7 races after the ball and makes contact with the ball right over the line. The ball bounces up in the air, then off F7’s arm and body and she continues to move into foul territory. F7 eventually secures control in the glove, hits the out-of-play fence and the ball pops out of the glove and onto the ground. Ruling 3: This is a fair ball, no catch and the ball remains live. Because the ball was first touched over fair territory, that is the status of the ball. The fielder then finally gained control over foul territory, but the first touching renders the ball fair. The collision with the fence caused the release of the ball, which is involuntary. This play happened in a collegiate game I was umpiring and the defensive head coach first argued it was a foul ball, then argued the fielder caught the ball because she had it “long enough.” Neither of those arguments were correct and eventually led to the coach being warned for throwing a clipboard in the dugout out of frustration as the play led to a triple by the offense.

The most important thing to remember when umpiring these plays is to understand the definition and what constitutes voluntary release. If the ball goes into the glove and subsequently comes out of the glove, it is important to know if the ball came out because the fielder was trying to make a secondary action or if control was involuntarily lost. Understand the difference, use rulebook language when explaining the call to a coach, and don’t be afraid to ask your partner(s) for help if you don’t have a good angle on the play. Guessing never leads to anything good.

Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He umpires D-I softball and officiates women’s college and high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football. *

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