Unfenced Field w/High Grass
 

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.......... :eek:

ozzy,

One of the leagues I work is a "Senior Colt" (i.e. 18+) league, where virtually all of the games are played on these two fields (you'll have to "zoom in" some to see the detail):

Willow Stream Park

The southern field has an outfield fence, while the northern field doesn't - although, it does have a retention pond in very deep right field.

Naturally, I always cover this during ground rules.

Some teams like to play "kill it if it goes in the pond". I don't much care one way or the other if the fielders hold their hands up. Others like to play "it's all in play". I'll go either way if both teams agree. Personally, I prefer "all in play". When those are the agreed to ground rules, I always mention that a fielder is free to go into the pond after the ball should the occasion arise.

JM

And then stand back and wish it would happen...........


Tim.

Tim,

"Hope springs eternal..."

JM

And here I thought we were discussing a pond, John.....


Tim.

Coach JM,

Looks like there are no lights on either of those diamonds. What time do these games normally start and are they 7 or 9 inning games?

[[QUOTE]QUOTE]Ozzy some do put up fences they are called Snow fences which IMO you might as well put up no fence at all.

On a sunny day it's almost impossible to tell if the ball actually goves OVER IN FLIGHT (Unless it's a Blast) or BOUNCED on the Ground first and then Over a Snow fence. It's like a toin coss you have a 50-50 chance of getting it right.

The only people who know for sure are the Fielders and any people that are sitting in the outfield area. I HATE snow fences.

Pete Booth

2 questions.

First, being as snow is a foreign concept to us in Texas, what is a snow fence?

Second, with no fence and the aforementioned pond, I'm guessing if the fielder makes a legal catch, and then falls in the pond, batter out, runners get 1 base if any on, and delay of game for 3 minutes while we all laugh? :cool:

Ozzy,

In my association #1 seems to be the most common way of dealing with similar situations. I have never experienced a situation where the fielders have lied about the ability to play the ball when either my partner or I get out there. If they did I'd probably have to award home to the BR.

:D I take it you haven't priced fencing lately. ;-)

It's plastic, and orange, usually on the side of the highway to reduce the effects of snow drift...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_fence

Just as bad, if not worse than the snow fence, is the black temporary fence. Again, only about 3 1/2 ft high and impossible to tell if a ball had bounced in front of or behind.

Huh. I remember when they were all made of wood slats & wire. They're also used in sandy areas to keep dunes from drifting.

I simply don't buy number 1.

The fielders reaching into DBT is meaningless. The ball in DBT is what's important. Therefore, I never say that "if they reach the ball's live."

I will mention that if we get out there and the ball isn't lodged and in LBT, we have to assume it never was dead. But if I can see it's in DBT and the fielders are reaching for it, I'm still killing it. And I have had a coach argue that "you have to keep it live - they reached for it and didn't put their hands up." To which I say, "is the ball in DBT or not?"

ah yes, I know that stuff well, and hate it as well. Down here I've always heard it called barricade fencing, used to section off areas off road being worked on.