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I agree that it should be discussed during the ground rule part of the plate meeting, and save yourself all this agony... but if there is an oops,
a) The original question was not about overhanging branches over fair territory;
b) A tree is not dirt or rock;
c) MLB domed stadium ground rules don't mean squat unless you are calling a MLB game in a domed stadium.
If you oops and don't discuss it during the plate meeting, with the tree over foul territory, calling the ball foul is a reasonable interp of the definition. I'm still waiting for someone to offer an authoritative interpretation for ASA, NFHS, or some other softball body that treats an overhanging tree as part of the natural ground. No baseball interp, especially MLB, counts. If it can be provided, I will gladly stand corrected.
Having said all of that, ASA 10-1 would seem to give the umpire the discretion to rule however suits him, since trees are not specifically convered in the rules.
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Tom
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