[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by youngump

Why not, every other source of information you can find is just as much based on common understanding of the term? Would this have been better:
Baseball . Baseball for Beginners . Baseball Glossary | PBS ?

Here's what a trivial define request came back with.
define:book rule double - Google Search

define:Ground rule double - Google Search

Okay, I know this isn't in Wikipedia or in a box of Cracker Jacks as the value is about the same, but I'll make this statement anyway.

"Ground rules" are standards based upon specific conditions particular to the field in question. No rule book addresses specific ground rules.

The rule book does address is the manner in which to address situations which occur during the game and, at times, are similar in nature to standard ground rules one may experience.

HOWEVER, it is quite possible a ground rule does NOT coincide with the rule book awards and restrictions. There was a big todo about an umpire who ruled a "ground rule triple" on a ball which rolled down an embankment adjacent to the field being used for a HS game. Problem is such a rule was not discussed prior to the game, hence when the ball left playable territory, the rule book guidelines for base awards should have been followed.

This umpire still gets ribbed about calling a "ground rule triple" and is routinely reminded there is no such animal. That is not true. Should there be specific conditions at a field which may warrant such a special or "grounds" rule that may not coincide with the rule book, they can assuming their specific organization does not forbid it. It may be possible that some organization's rules may restrict the number of bases awarded.

BTW, ASA 2.2 gives tournament officials that authority.