Confusing fan interference call from Blue Jays game was technically correct

The play in question happened in the bottom of the third inning. With one and two out, Tampa Bay Rays batter Brandon Lowe hit a long fly ball to right field. The Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes gave chase, reaching up over the fence at the same time as a fan, who ultimately ended up with a souvenir.

A home run was called, but the Blue Jays and manager John Schneider appealed on the basis of fan interference.

This is where things get strange.

After going to review, crew chief Laz Diaz announced that it was fan interference and that the call on the field was overturned. However, it would have been a home run anyway and still counted. Huh?

Looking at the official Major League Baseball rulebook, there are actually two different rules that came into play.

The first defines what spectator interference actually is.

However, rule 6.01 (e) goes on to state that

Essentially, where the reply agreed with the fact that the fan impeded with Lukes attempt to make a catch, - thereby denoting fan interference - however, partially due to the lack of angles available in a minor league ballpark, the same replay officials were unable to determine what would have happened had there not been fan interference. Essentially, they couldn't guarantee that Lukes would have definitely caught the ball.

While the language was strangely worded, the lack of clear and convincing evidence made the home run call stand.

Strange, but true.