Dead Ball...Ground Rule Double?

[Newbie Scott]

I was doing a FR game last night and a batter hit a shot out to left field. Well, there was no fence and the ball kept rolling. It eventually hit a soccer net and a few soccer balls which were just laying there. The fielder played the ball as if nothing happened and threw it in. The runner was at second when the ball hit the soccer equipment and made it to third. He would have easily made it to third or possibly home had it not hit the soccer equipment. It was my first game at this diamond so it wasn't something we discussed in the pre-game. I am looking for a rule reference to help me out with this one. Would the ball be dead immediatley after touching that equipment? Would the runner get a ground rule double or would it be my judgement to award him the base I think he would have made it to? I let the play go and di not call a dead ball. The fielder never put his hands up so I just let them play on. Does that make a difference?
Thanks.