I umpire slow pitch softball, and we use ASA rules. We have a home run fence, but only goes from foul line to foul line. A player hit the ball that landed in fair territory (near the foul line), but bounced and went past the home run fence, in an area that was not fenced off. We do have a fence for being out of play along the side. There's only about 10 to 15 feet where there isn't a fence. Is this a ground rule double, or still a live ball?

This is something that should have been covered by the ground rules of the complex where the game was being played.

Should have a ground rule on this. I would suggest that the fenceless area become a dead ball territory, awarding a ground rule double. One warning is the players may act dumb and need clarification that the fence extended becomes the line.

The way to play this, though, is to encourage whoever makes the ground rules to include the clause that if the player makes a play on the ball, even in this extended dead ball area, then the ball will remain live. If the player throws their hands up to signal that the ball has entered dead ball territory, that gives the umps time to verify that it has entered DBT and to rule accordingly.

Double
 

Skeeter,

You are correct. A bounding ball that goes beyond the fence into dead ball territory is a "ground rule" double.

Whether it goes over the fence or around the end of the fence (a fair hit that leaves the field in foul ball territory) make no difference.... double.

I've worked several fields like what you have explained. Why they didn't put in another 30 feet of fence is beyond me...???
;)

Why they didn't put in another 30 feet of fence is beyond me...???

1. Don't have any more fencing.
2. It will cost extra in labor.
3. It blocks access to the rest of the field and teams
can't get back there to warm up.
4. Well that's the way we've always done it.

It's beyond me too Town, but those are some of the 'scuses I hear, #4 is the most common. It's gotta be covered in the pre-game meeting. Also, a catch on the fence, a catch and fall into the fence should be touched on. Cover also what happens when the wind blows down part of the fence.