Although it is odd, if an outfielder leaps the fence and THEN catches the ball, it is a homerun, not an out. Similarly, if a fielder leaps the fence rather than leaning over it and then catches the ball, it is not an out; it is simply a foul ball. In fact, according to baseball-reference.com, there have been only 12 outfielders who have caught a ball while standing in the yard.
In conclusion, if a batter hits a foul ball that an outfielder catches with no attempt to return to the field, it is a foul ball. If the outfielder catches the ball before leaving the playing area, it is an out.
Most of the time, if the ball is not dropped, it is an out. It is an out if he catches the ball over the fence while his body is still in the field of play. It is a homer if his body is beyond the fence and touches the opposite side. As long as he hangs on to the ball, it's an out. If he drops it, it's a double.
If an outfielder makes a catch and falls into the stands, he will usually be injured. The emergency medical staff should be notified so they can assess the situation before moving him. If there are no doctors or nurses available at first base, someone should go into the stands with a telephone to call for help.
Catches and falls accidents are one of the most common reasons for fans to leave games early. If you're caught up in the moment when you make a spectacular grab, don't forget about them once you're back on the field!
Going into the dugout To make a catch, a fielder may reach into (but not step into) a dugout. To make a legal catch, the fielder must "have one or both feet on or over the playing surface (including the dugout lip) and neither foot on the ground within the dugout or in any other out-of-play area." The catcher legally caught the third strike.
Although it is odd, if an outfielder leaps the fence and THEN catches the ball, it is a homerun, not an out. Similarly, if a fielder leaps the fence rather than leaning over it and then catches the ball, it is not an out; it is simply a foul ball.
Any sliding into a base to break up a double play, as well as any deliberate (in the eyes of the official) interference with the defensive player, runner, or batter, will result in an out. A foul kick above the batter's head can be caught and counted as an out. When a ball is tossed over the fence, it is considered out of play.
MLB has never had a four-fouls-and-you're-out rule. In reality, for a long time, fouls were not counted as strikes, as they are now. However, some hitters could and would continue to smash foul balls until they were walked or served a great hitable ball down the center.
A fielder can catch and go in (out of play) but not catch and go in (stands/dugout/out of play demarcation). If caught, it is an out, and the player is removed from the game (over the fence). If there are runners on with less than two outs, additional rules apply.
For example, if the ball is hit toward the outfield, but the outfielder does not have time to get to it before it hits the ground, you are said to have a forced out. If the ball is hit toward the outfield and the outfielder makes a complete catch, you are said to have a safe capture. If another player, such as a runner, interferes with the completion of the catch, you are said to have a putout by interference. Interference includes any action by a player or fan that prevents or hinders someone from making a complete catch.
In addition, if the ball is hit toward the outfield and the outfielder makes a complete catch but is then hit by a thrown object (such as a pitch), you are said to have a double play. If no runners are present, this is a routine out. However, if there are runners on base when the ball is hit toward the outfield, the umpire has the right to call for their removal by ordering them off the field (or by using his or her own judgment). Once the runners are gone, the fielder cannot be ordered back on the field to attempt a catch.
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