BoSox vs NYY - 7/4/2008

[SanDiegoSteve]

Yankee Stadium uses Universal Ground Rules as determined by MLB. It has no special local ground rules published.

The top of the outfield fence is blue, but I believe for the purposes of the rule, that the yellow line rule applies, which states that all yellow lines are in play unless the ball goes past them.

The closest other ground rules that could apply are that the facings of railings surrounding the dugouts and photographers' areas are in play, and batted or thrown balls resting on the rotating signage behind home plate or along first base or third base stands are in play. Perhaps it's the same for a ball that rests on top of the fence too.

[umpjong]

pg. 58 ML Book Rule 6.09D

(d) A fair ball passes over a fence or into the stands at a distance from home base of 250 feet or more. Such hit entitles the batter to a home run when he shall have touched all bases legally. A fair fly ball that passes out of the playing field at a point less than 250 feet from home base shall entitle the batter to advance to second base only;
(e) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery,

Over the fence has been interpreted as meaning that the baseball must completely clear the entire structure. The famous basket at Wrigley carries its own approved ground rule, as do other fields were specific approved rulings are used.

[Spizzico]

thanks for your answers

all the best

Valerio Pizziconi