Ball hits a tree

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Wait ... REALLY? You have a HIGH SCHOOL field that has a tree overhanging the third base line in the INFIELD? Am I misreading this?

No, you are not mis-reading. The JV field does have a tree which overhangs the area near 3rd base.

The ground rule we used for that was a ball that hits the tree is a foul ball, no matter where it lands. This was the ground rule of the home team and it was never argued.

The problem on the city park field is the tree extends over fair territory in such a way around the left field corner that a ball could be prevented from 1) going over the fence 2) going foul (slicing hit), or 3) being caught.

I have not seen a league rule on this, and since I only umpire part time in the league, I had to go by what I was told by the other umpire, redo.


I'm trying to remember what the rule is at Tropicana field for balls hitting the catwalk. IIRC if it hits certain ones it is a home run. I'm not sure what the rule is if it hits the ones closer to the plate though.