Baseball rules corner: major leagues need clarification on illegality of dugout catches

Baseball Digest, Sept, 2003 by Rich Marazzi

THE SECOND QUESTION OF MY annual rules quiz created a bit of a stir among some observant readers. My answer was right and wrong-if that's possible.

The true or false question read: "Steve Cox of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Travis Lee would be more appropriate now) hits a popup toward the first base dugout. Royals' first baseman Raul Ibanez and catcher A.J. Hinch (Mike Sweeney and Brent Mayne would now fit better) converge to make the catch. Ibanez goes down into the dugout and catches the popup. This is a legal play and Cox should be called out." True or False?

I gave the answer as true which is correct--but not really! Confused?

The explanation of rule 7.04 (c) of the Official Baseball Rules reads, "A fielder or catcher may reach or step into the dugout with one or both feet to make a catch, and if he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. Ball is in play.

"If the fielder or catcher, after having made a legal catch, should fall into a stand or among spectators or into the dugout after making a legal catch, the ball is dead and runners advance one base without liability to be put out."

So my "True" answer to the question is supported by 7.04 (c). But wait, Major League baseball says I'm wrong.

Umpire Dan Iasoggna explained, "Prior to the 2002 season, it became illegal for a player to make a catch in the dugout. It was determined that a player has to have at least one foot on the lip of the dugout. Once a player steps into the dugout, it creates a dead ball situation and a legal catch cannot be made."

The idea of the change in policy (notice I didn't say rule) is to prevent a player from injury. Umpire Randy Marsh said, "There's a lot of dugouts such as the Cubs' dugout at Wrigley Field which is very steep. There is a concern for injury."

Major League baseball declared they didn't want guys going into the dugout to catch the bail. A player could have one foot on the lip and one foot in the air but he can't put a foot down in the dugout to catch it.

"Sandy Alderson, (Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations) is trying to get the Rules Committee back together. They haven't really met in a couple of years. I'm sure that's one of the things (amend 7.04-c) that would be approved and put into the rule book."

Basically, we have a situation where major league players are prohibited from going into a dugout to make a catch but player's in amateur leagues across the country who play under professional rules can, unless their their individual leagues have a "no-catch" policy under those conditions.

In review, my answer in the rules quiz is supported by the hnguage in the rulebook but not by the supplemental rules issued to big league umps. Unfortunately, those supplements are quite secretive.

I spoke to a couple of players about the 2002 "dugout rule" and they appeared to be as far out in left field as I was.

Earlier in the season, the Yankees played the Mariners at Safeco Field when veteran Yankee third baseman, Robin Ventura, made a catch stepping into the third base dugout that was ruled "no-catch" because of the "new policy" that nobody seems to know about. "I was surpised they didn't allow the catch," said Ventura. Wow!

I then spoke to Yankee backup catcher John Flaherty who has been around awhile. When asked if he knew of the change he replied, "I wasn't aware of it."

Why is major league baseball dragging their feet regarding a change in 7.04 (c) and the comununication of the change?

As for the Official Playing Rules Committee, why isn't there a current or former umpire on the Committee? Would you hire an ex-pitcher to be a batting coach?

I believe the MLB adjustment of 7.04 (c) is a good one for safety reasons alone. Former umpire Jim Evans stated, "The minor leagues have prohibited a player from going in the dugout for many years as a safety precaution." But such was not the case in the big leagues.

By the way, for those leagues still playing under 7.04 (c), one should look at a play that occurred in the top of the sixth inning in Game 3 of the 1987 World Series played between the Cardinals and Twins.

Gary Gaetti of the Twins was batting in the top of the sixth inning with one out and runners on first and second when he hit a foul ball near the Cardinals' dugout that St. Louis catcher Tony Pena caught before running down the dugout steps.

Greg Gagne tagged up on the play and advanced to third. Because Pena didn't fall, the ball remained alive. If Pena wanted to make a play from inside the dugout, he was within his rights. Also, if players in the dugout assisted him from falling, that would be perfectly legal.

In summary, the fans, players, and umpires on all levels of the game deserve better leadership from the highest governing body of umpires--the Official Playing Rules Committee. Plus, I would not have to write articles sounding like a two-headed goofball who was right and wrong. Confusing? You bet.