Had a GSBA Summer Wood Bat League double header on Saturday @ "The Sandlot" In game one there was a ground ball to the gap in left center that went into the some of the various bushes, weeds, and hazards at that location. The outfielders put up their hands and the umpire stopped the runner at second and went out to the danger zone to look for the ball. It was never found, after some begging from the home team coach the umpire gave the hitter a "Ground Rule Triple". If there had been a fence at this field there probably would have been a play at second if the batter chose to go for two. The umpire said when the kid put up his hand the runner was just a step from second and this was at their discretion. Aside from hitting the ladder at Fenway, anyone ever heard of a ground rule triple?
Here is a response from an umpire on hsbaseballweb.com to the same post in their forums.
"Here is the applicable rule.6.09The batter becomes a runner when --(d) A fair ball passes over a fence or into the stands at a distance from home base of 250 feet or more. Such hit entitles the batter to a home run when he shall have touched all bases legally. A fair fly ball that passes out of the playing field at a point less than 250 feet from home base shall entitle the batter to advance to second base only;(e) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to advance two bases;(f) Any fair ball which, either before or after touching the ground, passes through or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through any opening in the fence or scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases;
2 bases....period....and the rule book even makes it illegal for a location to make up a local ground rule that is in conflict with the rules of baseball..."
Be on the lookout if you play at this field for any suspicious and illegal ground rules. Also bring about 5 dozen baseball as no foul balls will be coming back. And since this is the homefield of the below mentioned Hornets don't expect their players to chace a single foul ball as their coach does not participate in the long standing unwritten rule to help out on foul balls on your dugouts side of the field.
