# Can one fielder assist another to make a catch in MLB? Plus more **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [June 2, 2026, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557 "2026-06-02T03:14:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/41 "2026-06-02T21:22:02Z")
“Walk with pr-r-ride, mon! Walk with pride!” ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/42 "2026-06-02T21:26:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > What do you do with an enraged elephant with three balls? I always heard the response as: Walk him and pitch to the rhino ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/43 "2026-06-02T21:50:05Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > And there was the game where Jay Buhner caught a baseball and fell over the wall, but kept it in his glove, and it was counted as a catch. Otherwise, it would have been a home run. As luck would have it, a video just popped up on my Facebook feed of catches in cricket. The boundary of the field is just a rope lying on the grass. If a fielder catches the ball, but then steps over the rope, it’s a hit (4 or 6, I don’t know). The video was of fielders running toward the boundary, catching the ball, and throwing it up in the air before their momentum carried them over the rope. The ball can then be caught by another player, or even the original fielder if he can get back inside the boundary. Not much help in a baseball thread, but it was entertaining to see some of those intentional double catches. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/44 "2026-06-03T03:06:20Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I remember this very well because that was Logan Gilbert of the Mariners. AFAIK, that was the first time in recorded baseball history of that happening, and it was only a month ago. I feel certain a similar play made _Sportscenter_ sometime in the 1990s. I’m going to try to find it. Possibly might not have MLB — maybe minor league ball, maybe college. Though I’m thinking the pitcher this happened to played for the Cincinnati Reds. EDIT: Here’s one from when Ichiro played for the Yankees. Unsure of the year. Ichiro bats the ball to the Oakland pitcher, and the ball ends up in the pitcher’s jersey. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HaLcl4Udze0/maxresdefault.jpg "#TBT to the time Ichiro's hit got stuck in a pitcher's uniform 😳") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaLcl4Udze0) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/45 "2026-06-03T03:17:48Z")
Arizona State pitcher catches ball in jersey. Unsure of the year, but it’s after the Ichiro instance as the announcers reference that one. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dvdo5zEr0Aw/maxresdefault.jpg "The Ball never hit the ground. Still ruled a hit. #mlb #baseball") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvdo5zEr0Aw&t=0) Still looking for that one I remember from the 1990s. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/46 "2026-06-03T03:30:41Z")
Phillies pitcher Nick Pavetta caught a ball with his jersey in 2017. There’s video of the play, and Pavetta was credited with a catch and the batter was out (or at least it looks that way in the video). > **[Must C Curious: Pivetta catches comebacker in jersey | 09/18/2017](https://www.mlb.com/video/must-c-pivetta-s-jersey-catch-c1839492983)** > > Austin Barnes lines a comebacker right into Nick Pivetta's jersey to retire the side in the 6th inning for the Phillies ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/47 "2026-06-03T04:22:16Z")
I’m starting to worry about jersey designs now. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/48 "2026-06-03T11:51:41Z")
You can see similar plays in football, my favorites are during a punt when players dive over the goal line and bat the ball back so another player can down the ball. > **[Patriots Down Punt On The 1 Yard Line](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eznEnmfADxM%5C)** > > Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/49 "2026-06-03T12:33:50Z")
Somewhat related to this thread. This happened last night. Shades of Jose Canseco. > **[Ball bonks off Angels OF Adell's head, over fence for home run](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48953462/ball-bonks-angels-adell-head-fence-home-run)** > > Angels right fielder Jo Adell had a Jose Canseco moment Tuesday night, as a fly ball bounced off his head and went over the right-field fence for a Rockies home run. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/50 "2026-06-03T12:42:53Z")
It seems in all of these shirt catches that the pitcher tries to dig through the buttons to get it out the same way it went in. Wouldn’t it be easier to untuck the shirt and pull it out the bottom? Or would that lead to some sort of out-of-uniform violation? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/51 "2026-06-03T12:55:05Z")
No. As long as the fielder retrieves the ball with his glove or throwing hand and shows possession, it is an out. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/52 "2026-06-03T13:04:26Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Conversely, throwing a player is not something that would ever happen in baseball. Well, not exactly. According to AI, the all mighty and knowing entity that will soon rule us all, it has happened … sort of. > Yes, fielders have lifted teammates into the air to catch a baseball, though it is exceedingly rare and illegal in professional baseball. > > Because lifting another fielder is technically illegal, these kinds of plays are mostly seen in recreational leagues or as a trick play. A famous historical example occurred in an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in the 1950s. Yankees manager Casey Stengel had **Mickey Mantle** stand on the shoulders of first baseman **Bill Skowron** in short right field to rob a Red Sox batter of a home run. However, the umpires immediately nullified the play, and it was ruled a home run. > > Why it’s illegal in professional baseball > > Under the Official Baseball Rules (specifically **Rule 5.09(a)(1)**), a fielder must make the catch by catching the ball with their glove or hand. The rules generally assume natural human limits for jumping. While there is no explicit sentence saying “you cannot stand on a teammate,” it is considered illegal assistance. Under these guidelines, if a fielder is being boosted or carried by another player, the umpire will rule it **no catch** , and the batter is awarded a home run or safe hit. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/53 "2026-06-03T13:22:35Z")
Yup, that sounds like an AI answer: It cites an actual rule, and then uses that rule to come to a definitive answer, that doesn’t actually relate to the rule. “You must use your glove or hand to make the catch, therefore you can’t stand on a teammate” makes no sense whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/54 "2026-06-03T13:25:26Z")
It also appears to cite a story that I can’t find any reference for. When explicitly asked if Mantle ever stood on Skowron’s shoulders, Google Gemini says “no, that never happened”. As described it doesn’t even make any sense - how would a center fielder stand on a first baseman’s shoulders in “short right field” to rob a home run? @Jasmine, could you ask that AI when that play supposedly happened? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/55 "2026-06-03T13:29:51Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > It also appears to cite a story that I can’t find any reference for. You mean to say that AI is making up stories and lying? Wow, we humans really did make it. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/56 "2026-06-03T13:36:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It cites an actual rule, and then uses that rule to come to a definitive answer, that doesn’t actually relate to the rule. It actually interprets the rule incorrectly when it says that it should “assume natural human limits for jumping”. Players can use, and have used, the OF wall to assist in their jumping - they don’t have to jump off the ground. If you can use the wall to vault higher to rob a HR I see no reason why you couldn’t vault off another player’s back, for example. Then the AI uses a phrase “illegal assistance” which I am 99% sure only applies to assisting runners. The base coaches and previously put out teammates cannot assist a runner on the base paths. There is nothing in the rulebook regarding “illegal assistance” in the field, as far as I know, other than the rule already cited about using equipment to catch the ball. > [@Jasmine](#): > > You mean to say that AI is making up stories and lying? Wow, we humans really did make it. LOL It really shows some of the risks of using these tools. The story sounds authentic. The AI picked teammates, and the right manager. Those two did goof around from time to time. Stengel did try to bend the rules and find loopholes. It throws it all together to create a funny and believable anecdote, and then uses that anecdote to validate its determination regarding the legality of a play. But the story is BS, and I also believe ithe determination on the ruling is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/57 "2026-06-03T13:37:26Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Depending on context, the in-field fly rule would take precedence, I would think The infield fly rule doesn’t change any of the rules concerning when runners can or can’t leave their bases, though. Infield flies are live plays, and a runner leaves his base at his own peril until the ball touches a fielder or the ground. > [@Jasmine](#): > > **Mickey Mantle** stand on the shoulders of first baseman **Bill Skowron** in short right field to rob a Red Sox batter of a home run. However, the umpires immediately nullified the play, and it was ruled a home run. So… the story AI is telling you, then, is that a first baseman went all the way out to right field, where the center fielder came over to right, stood on his shoulders, and they happened to be in the exact place where a fly ball just happened to arrive that would have been a home run but for the Vincent Adultman playing right field on that pitch? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/58 "2026-06-03T13:40:03Z")
It mentioned that it was an exhibition and not a real game, so I assumed it was staged. If so, then why umpires? Ah, well … ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/59 "2026-06-03T13:45:13Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > that would have been a home run but for the Vincent Adultman playing right field on that pitch? Catching the ball with a broom seems a clear violation of rule 509(a)(1) cited above. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557/60 "2026-06-03T15:36:48Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’m starting to worry about jersey designs now . Not sure of your age. But as a Doper, you’re likely of age to remember the buttonless double-knit uniforms of the 1970s and 1980s. That would explain why we never saw jersey catches during that era. [![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wigpGJ0TW1ZGr8xlEVjNyQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTQyMDtoPTU2MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://s.yimg.com/os/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/AP111031027753.jpg) ](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wigpGJ0TW1ZGr8xlEVjNyQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTQyMDtoPTU2MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://s.yimg.com/os/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/AP111031027753.jpg) [![](https://legacymedia.sportsplatform.io/images_root/slides/photos/000/815/764/Astros_original.jpg?1301289669) ](https://legacymedia.sportsplatform.io/images_root/slides/photos/000/815/764/Astros_original.jpg?1301289669) [![](https://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/styles/story_popup_thumb_540/public/Baker%20Dusty%20AB73-1188_HS_NBLMcWilliams.jpg.jpeg?itok=5QRcIlUX) ](https://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/styles/story_popup_thumb_540/public/Baker%20Dusty%20AB73-1188_HS_NBLMcWilliams.jpg.jpeg?itok=5QRcIlUX) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-fielder-assist-another-to-make-a-catch-in-mlb-plus-more/1030557.md?page=4)