Hypothetical

[Paperipper17]

I've been thinking about this one for awhile. At a 15u park at which I call often, the dugout gates are directly in line with the baselines from second base to third and first. In the pregame meetings, coaches are always instructed to keep these gates closed. Still, without fail, five or six times a game I'll see that an on-deck batter has left it wide open while coming out during a play.

So, let's say that a B/R is trying to leg out a ground ball. F6 throws it away, B/R makes a turn to second, and F2 is there to catch the carom off the fence, likely in time to make a play. However, seconds before, the new on-deck better walked out of the dugout, leaving the gate open, and the ball skips in. Obviously it's a dead ball, but do I award the B/R second base, or is this possibly a form of interference on the offensive team?

If it is, do I hold B/R at first, or is this a situation where I can award an out if I feel that the interference prevented one?

[Austex]

Punish the offense for an overthrow, I can't imagine doing that. I think you have to go with OBR 7.05 .... ball thrown into the bench.

Is it possible to have ground rules that supersede this rule??

[yawetag]

Give him the two bases from TOP. There's nothing that allows you to call Interference.

I wouldn't even dream of a ground rule that calls for Interference.

[mazzamouth]

Yep 2 bases for the overthrow...

[Paperipper17]

that's about what i figured. It just bugs me every time I go there. Thanks guys