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Video: Phillies Pitcher Makes the Out with His Jersey (But It Shouldn’t Have Counted)

According to the rules, this shouldn’t be an out. 

Dan Gartland

Video: Phillies Pitcher Makes the Out with His Jersey (But It Shouldn’t Have Counted)
Video: Phillies Pitcher Makes the Out with His Jersey (But It Shouldn’t Have Counted) /

Is it a full moon tonight, because all sorts of weird stuff is happening in sports. Matt Prater’s indescribably fortunate bounce on a field goal was strange, but this is even more incredible. 

Phillies pitcher Nick Pivetta somehow managed to have a comebacker slip between the buttons on his shirt, which the umpire called a catch. 

But that shouldn’t have been an out! Here’s the relevant portion of MLB Rule 5.09(a):

A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. 

That’s clearly a missed call by home plate umpire Brian O’Nora, but it made for a cooler video. 

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Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

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