Ground Rule Double or live ball?

[CoachRandy]

We have a modified rule in our league because our right field is short with trees and no fence. Our ruling is if a ball is hit into the trees it is a home run. We are allowed 1 per inning. All other balls hit in are considered a single.

If the balls bounces into the trees it is considered a GRD.
What would be the ruling if a ball is hit to the outfield, bounces off the ground, hits a player, then goes into the trees. I ruled it a GRD, but was challenged that it was a live ball.

[3afan]

if a batted ball bounces on the ground, hits a player, then goes into dead ball territory its a GRD .... so you're choice seems like the most logical one in that particular case if its not specifically part of your "local rules"

[CoachRandy]

So basically since the tree area is considered a home run, that area is dead ball territory.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by CoachRandy

So basically since the tree area is considered a home run, that area is dead ball territory.

I'd say so... This is something that would probably need to be addressed by the league.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by 3afan

if a batted ball bounces on the ground, hits a player, then goes into dead ball territory its a GRD .... so you're choice seems like the most logical one in that particular case if its not specifically part of your "local rules"

Not a GRD, that's a book rule double - as long as "in the trees" is defined as out of play.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Not a GRD, that's a book rule double - as long as "in the trees" is defined as out of play.

I don't think GRD and BRD are formally defined in the sense you are using them. A ball which hits the ground and bounces out of play is a ground rule double because the book rule is that a ball which touches the ground and then goes out of play is a double. Am I mistaken?

[bkbjones]

A "ground rule" is a rule specific to the field (the grounds...think of the Polo Grounds) ... it has little to do with the ground as in the planet Earth ...

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

A "ground rule" is a rule specific to the field (the grounds...think of the Polo Grounds) ... it has little to do with the ground as in the planet Earth ...

Which is why the "book rule double" is actually called a "two base award."

[Dutch Alex]

I don't get it!
Only one Homerun per inning allowed (second homer is a single); however if you hit it slightly less far away it's always a double... Sounds to me as an unfair ground-rule.

All territory called out-off-boundry is dead ball, so this applies also for that tree-area. Can't be a live ball.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by youngump

I don't think GRD and BRD are formally defined in the sense you are using them. A ball which hits the ground and bounces out of play is a ground rule double because the book rule is that a ball which touches the ground and then goes out of play is a double. Am I mistaken?

Speaking ASA:

RS 26. HOME RUNS / FOUR BASE AWARDS / GROUND RULE DOUBLES.
...
PLAYING RULES & RULES SUPPLEMENT INDEX
GROUND RULE DOUBLE ........................... 8 5 I (1-4)

Sure, it is called that for the convenience of those trying to look up the rule, but still...

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by youngump

I don't think GRD and BRD are formally defined in the sense you are using them. A ball which hits the ground and bounces out of play is a ground rule double because the book rule is that a ball which touches the ground and then goes out of play is a double. Am I mistaken?

Yes, you are mistaken in this. When a situation is covered by the rule book, which this situation is, it's a book rule. Ground rules cover specific situations (to that field) that the rule book did not cover.

You want screwy GRD's? I had a coed tournament one time where the fence was so short the guys could hit everything out, the TD directed that each team gets two over the fence HR's per game, and then the next four hits after the homerun limit had been reached would be GRD, and then after that would be outs. Imagine keeping track of that BS.

Another tournament I worked, mens slowpitch, the fence was 10 feet too short so all hits over the fence were ruled foul balls.

[wadeintothem]

One thing for sure, the OP could never be a live ball. The ball is in a declared dead area. Its just one of those idiot things players say. Forget it.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Yes, you are mistaken in this. When a situation is covered by the rule book, which this situation is, it's a book rule. Ground rules cover specific situations (to that field) that the rule book did not cover.

Nope, I went and looked it up. I wasn't mistaken. Ground rules and ground rule double aren't the same derivation. For example:
Ground rule double - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Or just see Dakota's post up a few lines.
________
Prilosec Death

[SRW]

Please tell me you didn't just quote Wikipedia as a reliable source of information....