Simple questions:

Absent of a ground rule stating otherwise, would a ball going under a fence be treated the same as any other ball going out of play? Would the base awards be the same?

yes

Sorry but I need something more, here.
You're asking if a dead ball is always a dead ball, aren't you?
Is this a pitched ball or a thrown ball?
This could make a big difference in awarding bases to the runner(s). Or are you thinking about a batted ball?

(Confused)

A.

I think that maybe you are trying to read too much into it. The original question was, quite simply, "would a ball going under a fence be treated the same as any other ball going out of play?". It could be a pitched ball, a batted ball, or a thrown ball, and the bases would be awarded to the runners accordingly.

I'll clarify with the situation.

ASA Adult Men's Rec1 League
R1 on 1st, Batter hits grounder to F6 who flips ball to F4 who tries for double play. F3 misses the ball which rolls under a part of the fence where a gate is that allows it through. I immediately call dead ball and award BR 2nd as he had not touched first before the throw.

Captain tries to argue that BR is not entitled to advance as this is a problem with the field and the ball would not have gone out of play had the ground been properly filled by the gate. I just tell the captain that I am not responsible for field maintenance and the ball is out of play.

That is one of the more inventive arguements I have heard. The ball went out of play. Whether it went under or over makes no difference.

This is one of the things that I typically look for before game time. That way I can let the managers know about the hole/gap in the fence.

Did you tell him the alternative is to keep the ball live and the runner keeps going while the defense has to get through the gate, retrieve the ball, work their way back to the field and try to make a play?

After all, that's how it would be played if the ground had been properly filled by the gate! :D

[Edited by Andy on Sep 15th, 2005 at 03:34 PM]