Home Run or 4-base error?

[foosball114gg]

Was umpiring a game recently. Fireman's league, 6-12 foot. The game was being played on a field that had an outfield fence. League rules state that each team is allowed 3 "over the fence" home runs per game. Any ball hit over the outfield fence after the 3rd home run will be an automatic out.


The batter hit the ball to left field, and while attempting to make a catch, the outfielder touched the ball and it goes directly over the fence. I signal it as a home run. My question is-- is that an actual home run or would it be considered a four-base error. Does it count against the teams home run total?

Thanks for any input.

Mike in Jersey

[sftblldud]

No, if it hits another player it should be ruled a 4 base error and no HR. The OF should of let it go so they can let the other team reach the limit.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Interesting ! ... But until I check further, I will go with a double ... no error .. The one caveat being that the ball would not have cleared the fence ( in the umpires judgement ) had the fielder not gotten a glove on it ... IF it was going over, in the umpires judgement, it would be an out ... Much as if a fly foul ball was touched prior to hitting the ground, but uncaught ...

[MTR]

Was umpiring a game recently. Fireman's league, 6-12 foot. The game was being played on a field that had an outfield fence. League rules state that each team is allowed 3 "over the fence" home runs per game. Any ball hit over the outfield fence after the 3rd home run will be an automatic out.


The batter hit the ball to left field, and while attempting to make a catch, the outfielder touched the ball and it goes directly over the fence. I signal it as a home run. My question is-- is that an actual home run or would it be considered a four-base error. Does it count against the teams home run total?

Thanks for any input.

Mike in Jersey

It is a four-base AWARD!! Not an error. Well, it may be an error, but that is not part of the rule and outside of an umpire's purview.

In any case, it does not count against any HR limit applied to the game.

[bulldog21]

MTR is correct. It does not count against the team as an HR but the batter is awarded 4 bases. It doesn't matter if it was clearly going to be a HR. Once it is touched, it doesn't count as 1 of the 3.

As for how to score, in most cases it would be a HR. Now if the OF is camped and pops out and over that would be an error.