out of play

Question
QUESTION: if a player dives for a foul ball that is out of play, but his feet leave the ground from in play, makes the catch before touching the ground, but lands out of play with out having a foot in play, what is the call? this is slow pitch softball for men.

the call made was no catch, and it was explained to us much like that of catching a football, you must have a foot in play until you catch the ball.

ANSWER: Hi Marcus,

correct call

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: since I emailed you I had the chance to talk to some other umpires, one of which showed me the rule and it clearly says that you must be in play, or in the air having left from the field of play. I'm assuming that you said "correct call", meaning the umpire that made the wrong call was correct...? How are you interpreting that you must have your feet in play? Or is there more than one set of rules (I'm not being smart, I truely am curious.

Answer
Hi Marcus,

OMG..I'm sorry! thank you for following up with me. I was trying to get quickly through a backlog of questions due to father's day and thought I typed "incorrect call", as this is a BASIC play.  

What you have is a catch by definition.  Catch 3. The fielder抯 feet must be within the field of play, touching the 搊ut of play?line or in the air after leaving live ball territory in order to have a valid catch.

I don't make many typing mistakes as I almost always read my answers a couple of times before sending them but this one teaches me a lesson, not to be in a hurry. even w/ basic rule questions.  I realize the importance of my answers and maybe I'm allowing too many questions/day. I'm embarrassed to have sent that and glad to rectify my stupid mistake.

Mark