Tarp within the playing field

[jjskitours]

How do you normally handle a tarp used to cover the infield that is rolled up against the fence. Obviously it needs to be covered at the plate conference under the ground rules.

Thrown ball gets lodged within? How about defense being allowed to climb on to make a catch? There are obviously a number of situations that could occur where the

tarp is involved. Thanks for any feedback.

[mstaylor]

I work in a MiLB stadium fairly often and we have that problem. The tarp is in play unless ittraps the ball. The players can not climb the tarp to catch a ball. The MiLB players are allowed but we restrict it to prolong the life of the tarp. You can do whatever you want, just make sure the assoc is doing it across the board.

[cyclonehokiece]

Normally, ball gets stuck in it, same as if it went out of play, award bases accordingly. As for players climbing it, not generally allowed, although they can lean on it to make a catch.

Edit: MST beat me to it.

[Guest]

Typically with tarps you are dealing with one of three scenarios:

1) You have a full sized tarp like you see at a pro stadium that is about waist high. As suggested, any ball lodged in it is dead; any ball hitting it and rebounding to the field is in play. Players can lean over but (generally...up to home team) not stand on it to make a play.

2) You have a tarp designed just for the mound or plate rolled over a pipe 3-4 inches high. Lodged balls are dead, players can step on / over the tarp to make a play

3) A tarp designed for just the mound or plate is folded neatly (read: crumpled in a heap) and placed (read: dragged / thrown) against the fence. Same as #2.

[mstaylor]

If it is just a mound or plate tarp it needs to be folded and removed from the field. Our men's league has exactly that, one for each. The home team is responsible with folding before the game and replacing after the game. We teach them the proper way to fold them,without stepping on it with cleats, so two guys can pick each one up.

[Rich Ives]

2.00 Catch: "He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground."

[UmpTTS43]

2.00 Catch: "He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground."

Unless ground rules prohibit climbing on the tarp. This is left up to the home team. Field tarps can run as much as 50k.

[Rich Ives]

2.00 Catch: "He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground."

Unless ground rules prohibit climbing on the tarp. This is left up to the home team. Field tarps can run as much as 50k.

Ground rules cannot trump playing rules. Buy a cover.

Too many zeros - MASA catalog full size tarp <$5,000.

[mstaylor]

Not entirely true Rich. The rules say you can go in the dugout to make a catch but some pro parks make it illegal. Outlawing the tarp in non=pro games is no problem.

[Rich Ives]

Not entirely true Rich. The rules say you can go in the dugout to make a catch but some pro parks make it illegal. Outlawing the tarp in non=pro games is no problem.

Almost. But not quite. There's a bunch of rules that say the ball remains live if a fielder steps into a bench/dugout or DBT and remains on his feet AFTER making a catch but none that say he can go there to make it in the first place.

[noumpere]

"Standard tarp rules" is all that is usually said around here when it happens. It means lean on it, put a knee on it. Dont put spikes on it, don't elevate.

And the next person around here that complains about ground rules and book rules in this situation will be the first.