What happens if a fan catches a ball in the foul zone preventing the fielder from catching it?
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billy boy
ANSWERS: 2
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Official rules of baseball, 3.16. "When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference. APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out." Whether it is the foul zone or not does not appear to make a difference. The rules go on to state that though the batter may be out, if there is a runner on third, they may be awarded home plate if, in the judgement of the umpires, they would have reached home if the interference had not occurred.
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No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator's interference.
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