Definition of a Catch - Arizona Fielder Marte Drops Ball After Collision with Wall in Oakland

This Ask the UEFL takes us to 6/9/21’s Diamondbacks-A’s game where ARI’s Ketel Marte attempted to catch OAK batter Mark Canha’s fly ball, ruled “no catch“ after it feel to the ground upon Marte’s collision with the wall. Article: 3B Umpire Mike Muchlinski’s on-field ruling of no catch (safe) was affirmed following Replay Review as the result of a manager’s challenge by Arizona’s Torey Lovullo. The Official Baseball Rules’ Definition of Terms delineate what a catch actually is: “the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in their hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing they do not use their cap, protector, pocket or any other part of their uniform in getting possession.“ Relevant to this and similar plays (e.g., the collision between players in Chicago), the rule continues, “It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following their contact with the ball, they collide with a