4 base errors

Question
last night, during a playoff game, a four base error was called and i did not even know such a term existed...we were down a run in the bottom of the last inning(playing the feild). there were 2 outs, nobody on. there is also a rule limiting the number of home runs a team can score in a game(on a fenced field). they had used all of their HRs at this point..so, the batter hits a ball to deep left basically on the top of the fence, and our left feilder goes for the catch, the ball hits the top of his glove and goes out. the call was a four base error to tie the game. is this correct or should this ball be declared a home run?meaning an out because they had reached their limit

Answer
Hi Anthony,

This is the proper call by the umpire, it's actually called a "4 base award", if an error happens or not doesn't matter and most of the time no error is made by the fielder.  It is NOT counted as a home run.  Outfielders need to be very careful (obviously) not to attempt to catch a ball that's going to clear the fence once the hr limit has been met.  

Here's the rule

RS 26. HOME RUNS / FOUR BASE AWARDS / GROUND RULE DOUBLES.
When a ball does not hit the ground and leaves the playing field in fair territory,
it is a home run. In Slow Pitch, any fair fly ball touched by a defensive
player on either side of the fence that clears or has cleared the fence in fair
territory, should be declared a four-base award and shall not be included
in the total of over-the-fence home runs.


Mark