In the News, On the Bar Exam: Clarke’s “Home‑Run Robbery” Is a Great Catch But Not Bar‑Level Robbery

Yesterday in Anaheim, A’s rookie Denzel Clarke scaled the wall and pulled off what ESPN dubbed a “home-run robbery.” It was an incredible defensive play—but in legal terms, it wasn’t robbery at all.

The bar exam expects precision. Words like “robbery” get used loosely in everyday language, but in criminal law, they have a very specific meaning. On the bar, robbery requires all of the following:

• A taking of personal property

• From the person or presence of another

• With the intent to permanently deprive

• By force or threat of force

Clarke’s catch, while jaw-dropping, fails on all counts:

• Clarke didn’t take the ball from the batter because he caught it mid-air, so there was no taking of property that was in someone’s possession.

• Clarke didn't use physical force or threaten anyone because he just jumped and caught the ball.

• Clarke did not intend to permanently deprive anyone of the ball was part of the game and returned to play. It wasn’t taken for personal gain.

• Clark didn't take the ball from the person or presence of the batter because the batter never had possession or control of the ball in the first place.

Great sports metaphors don’t always mesh with what applicants preparing for the bar exam need to know.

👏 Amazing athleticism? Absolutely.

❌ Legal robbery? Not even close.