Ground Rule Double VS Home run

[softballcoach]

Last night in our 12U game, lead-off hitter drives the ball to F9, ball rolls to temporary fence and it appears to me the ball went under the fence material, F9 looked like she reached under the fence to get the ball instead of raising her hands up. Would I have been right if I'd have said something to the BU that the ball went under the fence since he didn't see it instead of the batter getting an in-the-park dinger?

[Mr Umpire]

You can question it and I don't know what the park rules are for this.

Generally, the parks I do. We have this as a ground rule:

If the ball goes under or gets stuck in the fence, have the fielder throw their hand up and we will check the ball. If the fielder goes for it, then it is all the runner can get.

Reason is the BU may not be able to tell the ball is actually stuck or beyond the fence. If he has no chance to make sure the ball is beyond the fence, then how does he know it went out of play. So, your BU may not have been sure the ball went out of play and now, since the fielder got it, he cannot verify it went out of play. So, runner keeps going. Teach your players to get away from the ball if it is beyond the fence and let the umpire check it.

[softballcoach]

That's what I told all of my outfielders later in the game. We haven't practiced or played in over a week because of state tests and of course good ole swine flu has every scared and postponing games and practices. Thanks Mr. Umpire.

[mstaylor]

It doesn't need to be ground ruled, that's a black letter award if it is verified OOP. Remember, the fielder throwing her hands up doesn't kill the play. The runners keep running and if it is verified OOP then the runners will be returned to the proper bases, two bases TOP.