You make the call!

Batter comes to the plate and swings at the first pitch, tips the ball straight down, the ball bounces off home plate and into the air. The catcher catches the ball, mid air, behind home plate. The batter didn't run on contact, so the catcher tags him. Is the batter out?

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BrewCityBarfly · M

I believe this is an out. The ball did not cross the foul plane (home plate is considered fair territory) and it doesn't matter where the fielder is.

WizardofOz · 26-30, M

@BrewCityBarfly The catcher fielded it behind home plate. Even though the ball bounced in fair territory, the ball was fielded in foul territory before passing first or third. It doesn't matter if the ball never actually landed on the ground in foul territory before it was fielded.

BrewCityBarfly · M

@WizardofOz Maybe I mis-interpreted the description, I thought the ball went "straight up" and remained in fair territory.

WizardofOz · 26-30, M

@BrewCityBarfly I know it can be confusing without actually seeing the play but I did write he cought the ball behind home plate. Sorry for the confusion. You are right, though, had it gone straight up, it would have been a tag out.