Dead ball - how many bases?

[Mountaincoach]

Interesting. I would have thought there would be a difference between a ball that is truly thrown out of play (over the fence, into the dugout, etc.) vs. a ball that stays in play and rolls under a fence that was not properly maintained? In other words, wouldn't that be discussed at the home plate meeting before the game?

[RKBUmp]

You play the field in the condition it is in, unless it is deemed a safety hazard. The thrown ball went out of play, makes no difference that it was a damaged chain link fence. It is 2 bases from the time of throw. It would be exactly the same if the dugout had gates and some coach was standing there holding the gate open and the ball went into the dugout. The ball still went out of play and there are base awards attached to that.

Yes it can be discussed in the pregame, but, as I already stated on another thread ground rules cannot supersede book rules.

[jmkupka]

Semi-hijack:

If it is the offense's gate that is improperly open, do we return runners to last base touched at the time it entered DBT? at the time of throw?

Treat it like a blocked ball?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Semi-hijack:

If it is the offense's gate that is improperly open, do we return runners to last base touched at the time it entered DBT? at the time of throw?

Treat it like a blocked ball?

No.

[jmkupka]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

No.

Why would the offense be rewarded with a free 2-bases if they improperly left their gate open, especially if this is covered pre-game?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Why would the offense be rewarded with a free 2-bases if they improperly left their gate open, especially if this is covered pre-game?

Because out of play is out of play.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Why would the offense be rewarded with a free 2-bases if they improperly left their gate open, especially if this is covered pre-game?

Why isn't it the umpire's fault for putting the ball into play without the gate closed?