Twins at Tampa Bay

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by BSUmp16

Here's the Tropicana Field Rule that deals with the subject:

"2. Fan Interference: Major League Baseball rules require that fans not go onto the field, throw objects onto the field or interfere with balls still in play. Violation may result in ejection from Tropicana Field and prosecution."

and OBR:

Rule 2.00 INTERFERENCE (d) Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field and (1) touches a live ball or (2) touches a player and hinders an attempt to make a play on a live ball. On any interference the ball is dead.

My interpretation is that although there was no spectator interference, the Tropicana Field rule prohibits interfering with a ball "in play"; and the ball was "in play" until it touched the ground or "any object foreign to the natural ground" (i.e., the fan).

So if the fan interfered with the ability to catch the ball before it touched the fan, he's in violation of the Tropicana Field Rule. If the interference didn't occur until after the fan touched the ball, the fan wasn't in violation of the rule since the ball was then immediately dead and could no longer be "in play"

(Slow day at the office )

Nice try. Ground rules cannot conflict with the regular rules. 3.13.

[BSUmp16]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Nice try. Ground rules cannot conflict with the regular rules. 3.13.

It's not a ground rule - has nothing to do with a ground rule. It's a Tropicana Field Rule (all parks have them) that applies to when and under what circumstances a fan can be ejected from the park. It tries to blend OBR rules into the mix

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by BSUmp16

It's not a ground rule - has nothing to do with a ground rule. It's a Tropicana Field Rule (all parks have them) that applies to when and under what circumstances a fan can be ejected from the park. It tries to blend OBR rules into the mix

The playing field belongs to the players. The stands belong to the fans.

PERIOD!

No blending necessary.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by BSUmp16

It's not a ground rule - has nothing to do with a ground rule. It's a Tropicana Field Rule (all parks have them) that applies to when and under what circumstances a fan can be ejected from the park. It tries to blend OBR rules into the mix

(and Mike)

So at the Trop you can eject a fan for not interfering because it's illegal there to not interfere?

The alternative is that they removed the fan because they decided it was interference even though the rules say it isn't. OH! Conflict with the playing rules? Just stupid? Bottom line they attempted to eject a fan for interfering when in fact he wasn't because the rules say he wasn't.

How about for wearing a chartruse and orange hat?

Remind to spend my money elsewhere if I'm in the area.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Nice try. Ground rules cannot conflict with the regular rules. 3.13.

Are you trying to imply that the Trop can't choose when and when not to remove a fan? Or did you just misunderstand his post.

PS to all... Geiger was let back in about an inning later.