We all work at some fields that are not fenced in. Several fields that we deal with have a buffer of high grass (4 feet and taller) before the tree line. Different umpires handle the "long ball" differently and at the plate meeting, the ground rules fall into 2 categories.
Ground rule #1.
"If the ball goes into the high grass, have your outfielders raise their hands. Keep the runners running and we will get out there as soon as possible to assess the status of the ball. If the fielder does not reach for the ball, it will be ruled as 2 bases TOP. But, if they (the fielders) reach into the grass for the ball, the ball will remain live and the runners can continue to run as they will."
Ground rule #2.
"If the ball enters the high grass area and the BU looses sight of the ball, TIME will be called and the batter and runners will be awarded 2 bases TOP."
As you can imagine, the first scenario can lead to all sorts of problems. First of all, if the coach even bothers to inform his players, you still have to depend on the player deciding he cannot see the ball and keep his hands off it! Be aware, one of these fields is used during the HS season and ground rule #1 is what the HC declares at the plate meeting.
I say that ground rule #2 is the proper one to use as it relies on the umpire only to decide what is going to happen.
Of course, if the cheap ba$tards would just put up a fence..........
