Tarp Rule
A player may lean on or place a hand on the tarp prior to or at the moment of the attempted catch.
Result: Live ball, legal catch.
A player cannot have a foot or feet in contact with the tarp while making the catch.
Result: Dead ball, foul, no catch, strike.
A player may have placed their foot or feet on the tarp prior to making the catch but must have re-established contact with “live ball territory” prior to making the catch. If the player has not re-established contact with live ball territory:
Result: Dead ball, foul, no catch, strike.
Following a catch if momentum carries the player onto (not into) the tarp so that either a foot or their feet contact the surface of the tarp.
Result: Legal catch, dead ball, catch and carry- one base award.
(Note) The interpretation of the term foot or feet as it applies to contact with the tarp shall be defined as using the foot to elevate or gain an advantage:
- stand on
- push off of
- maintain balance on
In order to make a play on a thrown or batted ball it is understood that while making a play on a thrown or batted ball the side or top of a player’s foot may contact the tarp.
If a thrown or batted ball lodges in the tarp or the tube.
Results: Dead ball, two base award for the batter and all runners on base.
* A ball (thrown or hit) that does not lodge in the tarp or tube remains in play.