Rule 5.05(a):
Unless provided otherwise by local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall and bounding back onto the playing field shall be treated the same as a fair fly ball that strikes the outfield wall and rebounds back onto the playing field (in play but may not be caught for the purposes of an out).
Unless provided otherwise by local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall and bounding over the wall shall be ruled a home run.
Unless provided otherwise by a local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall and remaining on the top of the wall shall be deemed a ground-rule double.
Unless provided otherwise by local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall that in the umpire’s judgment would have bounded over the wall if not for the permissible action of a spectator shall be ruled a home run. A fair fly ball that strikes the top of the outfield wall and is picked up by a spectator while still in motion shall also be ruled a home run. A fair fly ball that lands on the top of the outfield wall and is picked up by a spectator after coming to a stop shall be deemed a ground-rule double.
Related Content
2022 Rules Questions with Rich Marazzi
Restricted Baseline Running HomeQuestion:When a runner is advancing home and avoiding a tag by a catcher, does the runner have a restricted baseline?Answer:Yes. Whenever a runner is avoiding a tag, or is in a rundown, …
Batter Hits Ball That Bounces on Top of Wall
The video explains what happens when a batter hits a ball that bounces on top of the wall, and when the result is a home run or ground rule double.Rich MarazziRules consultant/analyst: Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, …
Good "Ready" Position in the Outfield
This classic baseball instruction video comes from back in 2003 with Cincinnati Reds coach, Jose Cardenal. Reds broadcasterChris Welsh asks Jose about how outfielders get set in a good "ready" position prior to pitch being …
CONTENTSI. On-Field Attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
Reference(s) Topic Page1. 3.03..............................Jackets............................................................................12. 3.04..............................Catcher’s Mitt ................................................................13. 3.04,3.05,3.06 .................Procedures for Measuring Fielding Gloves ..................14. 3.05..............................First Baseman’s Mitt.....................................................15. 4.03..............................Lineup Cards .................................................................26. 5.01(b),5.06(c)(7),5.06(c)(7) Comment..........Ball Going Into Player’s Uniform .................................27. 5.02..............................First Baseman Playing in Foul Territory.....................28. 5.04(b)(5),6.03(a)(1)..........Batter’s Position …
The Twins and Tigers played at Comerica Park on September 30, 2022.In the top of the fourth inning the Twins had Gio Urshela on first base and one out when Ryan Jeffers, facing Tyler Alexander, …
When does a fly ball stop being a fly ball?
When is a Batted Ball No Longer “In Flight”The White Sox and Tigers played at Comerica this past Friday, April 8, 2022.In the bottom of the ninth the Tigers had Austin Meadows on third base …
Related Rules
9.06 Determining Value of Base Hits
The Official Scorer shall score a base hit as a one-base hit, two-base hit, three-base hit or home run when no error or putout results, as follows:(a) Subject to the provisions of Rule 9.06 (b) …
A pitch deflects off fielder and goes out of play.
If a throw from a pitcher while in contact with the rubber deflects off a fielder and goes directly out of play, the award is one base. But if a pitched ball goes by catcher …
NCAA Appendix E Getting The Call Right
Getting The Call RightThe first requisite of an umpire is to ultimately get all decisions correct. Umpire pride is important, but never as important as getting the play right. It is the philosophy of the …
ball hits top of wall ground rules outfield wall special ground rules
March 30, 2020
Batter’s Position in Batter’s Box
ABANDONING BASE PATH (INCLUDING AFTER THIRD STRIKE NOT CAUGHT)
Was this article helpful?
FAQs
Unless provided otherwise by local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall that in the umpire's judgment would have bounded over the wall if not for the permissible action of a spectator shall be ruled a home run.
What happens if the ball hits the wall in baseball? ›
Any batted ball in fair territory that, in flight, strikes the facing of a lower wall and then bounds over a higher wall is considered a dead ball, and all runners (including the batter-runner) will be awarded two bases.
Is it an out if you catch it off the wall? ›
When the ball bounces off the wall, the team on defense tries to catch it. If they catch it before it hits the ground that is an out. However, if the ball bounces once before someone catches it, that's a single, two bounces is a double, three bounces a triple, and four bounces is a homerun.
Does the ball have to go over the fence to be a home run? ›
Before 1931, Major League Baseball considered a fair ball that bounced over an outfield fence to be a home run. The rule was changed to require the ball to clear the fence on the fly, and balls that reached the seats on a bounce became automatic doubles (often referred to as a ground rule double).
What happens in baseball if the ball hits the ceiling? ›
Any fair batted ball that gets stuck (goes “out of play”) is a ground rule double. But if it merely hits the roof and comes back down, it's a live batted ball and you play it as a fly ball unless it hits the ground. That's one of those plays where you might have both coaches coming out to argue.
Is a ball an out if it hits the outfield wall and is caught? ›
A ball hitting the top of the wall and going over the fence should be a ground rule double, not a home run. Alternatively, if an outfielder catches the ball directly off the wall, before it hits the ground, it should count as a catch and out.
What happens if a fly ball hits the roof? ›
By rule, if a ball strikes the ceiling it is to be treated as a live fair ball, not a home run. If the ball were to land in foul territory it would be a foul ball, but would be live ball in fair territory, according to Sports Illustrated. A fielder can also catch a ball off the roof and it would count as an out.
Can outfielders climb the wall? ›
The fielder is confined to the limits of the playing field, but may reach over any fence, railing, or any line of demarcation to make a catch.
Is it illegal to catch a baseball with your hat? ›
Illegal catches
The fielder must catch the ball with their hand or glove. If the fielder uses their cap, protector, pocket or any other part of their uniform in getting possession, it is not a catch.
What is the ball that is hit to the outfield? ›
Fly ball. A fly ball is a batted ball hit in an arcing manner. For statistical purposes, MLB uses the term "fly ball" for such balls that go into the outfield, and a separate term (pop-up, below) for such balls that stay in the infield.
Perhaps it is a nod to the fact that the bases are also referred to as “sacks.” Or perhaps home runs were originally nicknamed TATERs by Red Sox slugger George Scott, who compared his home runs to one of his favorite foods: “I love my taters, my sweet potaters and I love my home runs just like taters,” he was quoted as ...
Can you carry your bat around the bases after a home run? ›
The batter can circle the bases at his leisure, as there is no threat of him being thrown out.
Is hitting the yellow line a home run? ›
Usually, it's at the top of the fence or wall, but not always. If the ball hits the yellow line or above the yellow line, it is a home run. If the ball hits below the yellow line, it is not a home run and the ball is in play.
Can you hit the ball over the fence at top golf? ›
Hitting golf balls over the boundary netting is prohibited, and all players are responsible for damages or injuries caused by any balls hit outside of the premises. (Topgolf balls report back to us when they've lost their way outside our nets…)
What happens if the ball bounces over the fence in baseball? ›
No. The ball has to go over the fence on the fly to be a homer. A ball that bounces over the fence after hitting the field of play is subject to what are called “ground rules,” in which the ballpark specifies what happens in a situation where a fair ball in the field of play becomes unplayable.
What happens when a ball bounces over the fence in baseball? ›
If the ball hits any part of the yellow strip and goes over the fence, it is ruled a home run. If a ball hits an outfielder on the head on the fly (think Jose Canseco) and bounces over the fence, it's a home run.
