Baseball rules corner: determining if a ball is "in flight" sometimes a critical call.

LAST MONTH, I COVERED VARIOUS aspects of the catch rule with a promise for more this month. Here we go.

Understanding the term "in flight" is critical for both umpires and players. Simply speaking, a batted ball remains "in flight" if it does not touch the ground or some object like a wall or fence. A putout cannot be recorded by a defensive player on a batted ball that doesn't remain "in flight." That's unless the umps saw (or did not see) otherwise.

In the July 19, 2002 game played between me Mets and Cincinnati, the Mets led 3-1 in the fifth inning when the Reds loaded the bases with one out. Austin Kearns then hit a fly to left. Timo Perez jumped as he approached the fence. The ball hit about three feet above Perez, caromed off the wall and bounced right into his glove.

Once a ball hits the wall it is no longer "in flight." The ball remains in play and a catch is not allowed. But the play was ruled a catch, as Perez attempted to dupe the umps by holding his glove aloft. To make matters worse for the Reds, Todd Walker was doubled up at second before Brady Clark could tag up and score.

In a May 10, 1977 game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium, Warren Cromartie of the Expos slammed a long drive to center against the Dodgers. Center fielder Rick Monday chased the ball but was unable to reach it. The ball caromed off the wall, struck Monday on the forehead, and then bounced over the wall. Cromartie was given two bases on the play per rule 6.09-g which entitles a batter to advance two bases when "any bounding fair bail is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over or under a fence on fair or foul territory." Since the ball struck the wall before it made contact with Monday, it became a "bounding" ball and was no longer legally "in flight."

Following are a couple of improper rulings of 6.09-g.

The umps became confused over the rule during a 1952 Western League game that affected the pennant race.