With no spectators....

[Sut'n Blue]

Under 7.05(g) a runner may advance two bases when "with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands......"

Why the bit about the spectators?

What happens if there is a spectator on the field and the ball is thrown out of play?

Has anyone ever had to make a call regarding the spectator issue?

I suppose it may have something to do with a spectator running onto the field and interfering with the game.

[VAUmp]

Ha, that is strange.  I wonder if that is something that was an issue decades ago and hasn't been changed.

[pnewton]

More like a century ago...

 

 

According to the Boston Public Library website this photo was taken during a Red Sox vs Tigers game in 1910.  This is the Huntington Avenue Grounds, the Sox home before Fenway.

 

http://www.bpl.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/boston-sports-temples/view-the-exhibition/huntington-avenue-grounds/

[noumpere]

I was at a minor league game maybe a decade ago where "extra" seats were installed on the field.  But, yes, the rule is a holdover.

[maven]

Anyone authorized to be on the field is covered by 3.15, not spectator INT.

[NovaScotiaBlue]

the rule , as has been shown was created before the advent of reserved permanent seating. Just stick to what you know, 2 bases, determined by TOP or TOT 

[Senor Azul]

If rule 7.05(g) is a holdover from another era, it certainly isn't an egregious oversight by the rules committees. Here's why:  If you look up the word "spectator" in the index of the Official Baseball Rules you will find 10 entries listed--3.09, 3.13, 3.15, 3.18, 4.06(a) (1-2), 5.10(f), 7.04c, 9.01(e)(2), 2.00, and 3.16.

 

Check out rule 3.13 (which I think will answer the OP's questions):

 

"The manager of the home team shall present to the umpire-in-chief and the opposing manager any ground rules he thinks necessary covering the overflow of spectators upon the playing field, batted or thrown balls into such overflow, or any other contingencies...."

 

Prior to 1909, it was not unusual to have crowds of spectators seated on the playing field for oversold events. For example, the very first World Series in 1903 between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates featured large overflow  crowds on the outfield grass. And they did have special ground rules for the occasion. A batted ball that went into the crowd on the field was a ground rule triple. In fact, in game 5 of the Series there were five ground rule triples hit by the Boston Americans including one by Cy Young.