We have several fields where the light poles are within the fence (yeah you read correctly). All of them are surrounded by a chain-link fence which I am happy to report are also padded. Now the ground rules are different on some of the fields. On most, if a fly ball lands into this fenced area, it is a HR but several field's ground rules will only go with two bases.
We've requested that these few fields conform to the others but they want to keep tradition as they are old A, and AA MLB fields. "Well thar, dat's da way t'was den en it were good enuf fer them, so it good enuf fer us" Ahh, tradition. We let it go but we just have to make sure that when the newbies (5 year guys/gals) start working these fields, they make sure that they know about these "special" ground rules.
I am happy to say that all of these fields agree that a ball that bounces in is two bases (thank God!).
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When in doubt, bang 'em out!
Ozzy
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