Were they reaching over the fence?
That’s the question roiling the postgame debate over whether the fan interference call on Mookie Betts’s attempted catch Wednesday night was correct.
MLB rules say that fans can’t be called for interference if the player reaches over the fence or into the stands. However, if it’s the fan who reaches over the fence and “plainly” prevents the player from catching the ball, then MLB rules say the batter should be called out for spectator interference.
Right field umpire and crew chief Joe West judged that the fans reached over the fence and prevented Betts from catching Jose Altuve’s would-be two-run home run, which proved to be the difference in the Red Sox’ 8-6 win in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead.