Ball hits a tree

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

I can see the do over as a possibility...

NO! NO! NO!

That's what ground rules are for, as others have alluded. You put ground rules into effect for field anomalies that you won't find in regulation fields. And ground rules should never, EVER result in "do-overs" just because the anomaly can affect both teams. Rather, the ground rules should result in a fair and equitable ruling as if the anomaly wasn't present.

Originally Posted by chapmaja

The ball hitting the tree could prevent a ball from clearing the fence for a home run.

And that's what the ground rule should be. Any fair batted ball that was destined to clear the fence in flight should be ruled a home run.

Originally Posted by chapmaja

It could also prevent the defense from making a catch on the batted ball.

So what? Both teams are affected by that when they are on defense.

I have never seen a ground rule that allows for a fielder to be given credit for a catch when the anomaly prevents the fielder from doing so. A number of high school and college fields here have rolled-up tarps against the fence in foul territory. Should a batted fly ball go near the tarp and prevent the fielder from making a catch, we don't award the fielder with a catch. It's just a foul ball.

So I wouldn't suggest a ground rule that allows the defense to be credited with a catch on a ball that hits the tree and wasn't going to clear the fence. An equitable ground rule would be a dead ball with a two-base award. Leaving the ball live wouldn't make much sense because it could take the ball a while to come out of the tree.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And ground rules should never, EVER result in "do-overs" just because the anomaly can affect both teams. Rather, the ground rules should result in a fair and equitable ruling as if the anomaly wasn't present.

Why? If the field is weird and it's fair for both teams why can't you have a ground rule that states, for example in a YSIFL game: in the event of a land mine detonation after the pitch has left the pitchers hand and before it has reached the batter, no pitch shall be ruled?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by youngump

Why? If the field is weird and it's fair for both teams why can't you have a ground rule that states, for example in a YSIFL game: in the event of a land mine detonation after the pitch has left the pitchers hand and before it has reached the batter, no pitch shall be ruled?

Yours is a case where the ball hasn't been put into play. And a land mine detonation is not a static anomaly on the field, which is the purpose of a ground rule.

Your example is more akin to the "Randy Johnson Hitting a Dove" rule.