Jeffrey Maier Reaches Over the Wall

October 9, 1996, Yankee Stadium, Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. In the eighth inning Derek Jeter, a rookie, flew to right. Tony Tarasco camped under it. Jeffrey Maier, twelve years old and sitting in the front row, reached over the wall with his glove and deflected the ball into the stands. Right-field umpire Rich Garcia signaled a home run. The call tied the game. New York won it later, and won the series.

Garcia said, after he saw the replay, that he probably would have called fan interference. Tarasco did not accept the companion claim that he had no chance at the ball. The rule is plain: a spectator who reaches into the field of play and touches a ball that a fielder has a play on has interfered. Maier was a child doing what children in the front row do. The missed call belonged to the umpire who was stationed there to see it.

Jeter's career made the homer look destined. On the night, it was a fly ball, a glove from the seats, and a signal that did not match the play.