Why does this rule not state bouncing OVER the fence in fair territory?

(f) Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines;

"Why does this rule not state bouncing OVER the fence in fair territory?"

"(f) Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines;"

Simple. Because it's still a fair ball if it leaves the field in foul teritory. And, if the ball becomes lodged, through, under, etc., it's the same as if it went OVER the fence. If the word "OVER" was added, those other situations would,'t count.

Bob

Because the ball bouncing over the fence in fair territory is covered in 6.09(e)

Bob, the question was about the bounding ball leaving the playing field in FAIR territory.

Cheers

I presume that this is another case of the rule makers forgetting to amend ALL relevant parts of the book when they inserted a change.

The only significant difference between 6.09(e) and the cited 7.05(f) is the failure to omit the words "<i>outside the first or third base foul lines;</i>" from 7.05(f).

After all, many of the other instances covered in 6.09 are duplicated in 7.05, so why not this <i>specific</i> award?

Cheers

Oh, I agree (w/o checking on the specifics).

I thought the original poster was saying "I read 7.05, and I can't find an award for a 'ground-rule double' if the ball hops over the fence in fair territory."

I was pointing out (or trying to), that the award is covered, and that in most instances you can't read only a single rule to address a particular situation.

Yes, I believe that IS what the original poster was asking. I certainly wasn't questioning your response, only speculating about why the award was not in both places.

I know that I also wrongly looked at 7.05 in isolation, until you prompted us all about 6.09(e), and I've previously cautioned others about making that fatal mistake myself. Although I <i>knew</i> that the material content of 6.09 existed somewhere in the book I didn't think to look <i>there</i> for an answer. Who instinctively knows to look under "<i>The batter becomes a runner when ...</i>" if they're trying to find a base award?

That was certainly poor research on my part, not finding that 6.09 reference as you did. I should have done a keyword search in both section 6 and 7 of my electronic copy of the rules. All the same, it would have made things much easier for all concerned if the original OPRC had bothered to edit the rules in BOTH places when they brought that bouncing HOME RUN back to a 2 base award!

Thanks for your cautious response, and the gentle reminder of a very important principle.

Cheers