Dead ball or live ball?

[NCASAUmp]

On one of the fields in the area, the chain link fence that parallels the 1B foul line has a few gaps where the fence curls slightly towards the field of play, about a ball's width or so. It's enough to fit a 12" softball easily without touching it (clearing it by maybe 2").

We had a throw tonight from F6 that tipped off F3's glove, bounced, and settled directly underneath the fence. If you could draw a line straight down from the fence (before it curves in), it would have sliced halfway through the ball. F3 had to somewhat carefully reach under to pull the ball out, but not too carefully.

Overthrow and dead ball? Or play ball?

FWIW, I called it dead and gave the BR 2B on the overthrow. Made zero difference in the outcome, but still.

[Scooby]

Live ball...the ball must be completely in dead ball territory to be dead.

[Dakota]

Should be discussed in the ground rules at the plate meeting.

Regardless, I agree with your call.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Scooby

Live ball...the ball must be completely in dead ball territory to be dead.

A ball stuck in a fence is not completely in dead ball territory. I'd go with a dead ball here, because of the potential for injury. But as Dakota said, this should be covered at pre-game.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Umpires in my area have been dealing with this for 20+ years.

The standard is if the fielder cannot reach down and pick up the ball, it is considered out of play and dead. This is a ground rule and is purely the umpire's judgment, so it is beyond debate.

Just as a fallen fence can extend playable territory, a fence drawn in over a part of the field should be considered to have shortened it.

[NCASAUmp]

I called it dead because I didn't want to see a fielder attempt to reach it in haste and get his hand or arm torn up. Someone who's not in a hurry would have no problems getting the ball out from under the fence, but in the middle of a game? It's a safety issue, so I handled it that way.

The bummer of the sitch was that it was the 4th inning, and the home team was up by 15 with the away team at bat. This put a runner in scoring position, who ended up scoring to make it 17-3. Home team didn't get a run that inning, so we had to go another inning.

But hey, at least I go home with a clear conscience, knowing I didn't screw anyone over. Home team still creamed 'em.

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Should be discussed in the ground rules at the plate meeting.

Regardless, I agree with your call.

The BEST answer up to now.

Bob