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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 108 anonymousDiscussion: Need a ruling
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Aug. 6, 2017 Ball4 Men's 55 24 posts | Need a ruling We have a tree just on the other side of our outfield fence. The tree, itself stands in homerun territory, but the limbs and branches of the tree reach over the fence and stretches into the field of play. A player hits the ball that is clearly going to be a homerun, however it hits the tree limbs in the field of play, and drops to the ground. We don't have any local rules to cover this situation. Should it be a homerun- because without the tree being there - the ball would have cleared the fence. Or is it a ground rule double based on the interference by the tree because you can never assume a homerun? The only thing I can think of, as comparison is that this should be ruled the same way as a fan reaching over the fence and touching a live ball. Suggestion? |
Aug. 6, 2017 SOFTBALLNUTZ 36 posts | Now is a GREAT time to practice your swing with an AXE! |
Aug. 6, 2017 B.J. 1107 posts | there is no 1 ruling on a play like this... and its exactly why you need ground rules... I've seen it called different ways... HR, ground rule double, and umpire judgement |
Aug. 6, 2017 Duke Men's 65 908 posts | Depending on the angle of the ball approaching the tree limbs and height of the tree, an umpire judgement might cause some disagreements. All you need to do is have a ground rule for this situation. In my opinion, either a ground rule double or a ground rule home run, but not an umpire judgement. JMHO, Andy Smith, 65 Major |