Offensive players cheering their team in foul territory

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by spots101
Regional game tonight: High throw from right field to third goes into home field dugout. Most of the players are out in foul territory cheering on their teammates. I couldn't see if the ball actually hit any of them or not. Anyway, ump gives 2 base award. The question is, should the ump penalize the players for being in foul territory or not (seeing as how this kind of thing happens a lot, the cheering that is) especially since the dugout had no fence right in front of it. If there is a penalty does the ball have to actually hit a kid or just in close proximity since they are in foul territory? Either way what would you call? Thanks for your help.

I assume this is a game played under FED rules.

Somewhere, there's a case play dealing with a ball that hits equipment that was (improperly) left outside the dugout. The umpire can award bases, or outs, or let the play stand based on his judgment.

I'd apply the same ruling here (with the benefit of any doubt given to the team that wasn't out of the dugout).