GROUND RULES, CONT.
The pit areas to the outfield sides of the dugouts are dead. A ball hitting the concrete facing at the
end of the pit areas and bouncing back into play is live. If a thrown or deflected ball strikes the
fence in front of either dugout but does not enter the dugout, the ball remains in play. If a thrown
or deflected ball becomes wedged under the fence, the ball becomes dead. If a thrown or deflected
ball enters the dugout (any area inside of the fence in front of the dugout), the ball becomes dead.
The front façade of the dugout shall be considered within the dugout for the purpose of this rule.
Defensive players may reach over the fence but may not elevate themselves on the fence or step
inside of the fence line in order to make a play.
3. Tarp: If the ball lodges underneath the tarp, it is dead. Players may lean on the tarp to make a catch,
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but cannot elevate themselves on the tarp to make a catch.
4. Bullpens: Balls hit into the bullpens are in play. If the ball lodges underneath a sandbag or bench, it
is dead. If the ball strikes the metal railing above the concrete wall on the first or third base side of
the field and bounces back into play, it is live.
5. Outfield: The ball must be hit over the distance markers to be a home run.
6. Left field: The scoreboard is recessed and any batted ball striking it is dead (HR or 2 base hit). The
deck is recessed and any batted ball that hits any part of the deck in fair territory is dead (HR or 2
base hit). The recessed portion of the deck is marked by a yellow line that is beyond the field of
play.
7. Center field: If the ball becomes lodged under the gate in center field, or goes through a gap in the
gate on a fly or bounce, it is dead. The hitting background is recessed and any batted ball that hits
any part of it is dead (HR or 2 base hit). The deck is recessed and any batted ball that hits any part
of it is dead (HR or 2 base hit). The recessed portion of the deck is marked by a yellow line that is
beyond the field of play.
8. Right field: The deck is recessed and any batted ball that hits any part of the deck in fair
territory is dead (HR or 2 base hit). The recessed portion of the deck is marked by a yellow line that
is beyond the field of play.
9. Should a ball become wedged (lodged) between the ground and the bottom of any padding
surrounding the playing field in either fair or foul territory, the ball is dead. If the ball becomes
wedged in fair territory, it is a ground rule double. If in foul territory, it shall be treated the same as
if the ball had been thrown out of play.
LAKE COUNTY
Classic Park - Eastlake, OH
1. Bullpens: Any ball hit into the bullpen either visitors or home shall be considered a live ball
unless the ball becomes lodged in equipment, etc., in which the ball is ruled dead.
2. Dugouts: Any ball that rolls into either dugout shall be considered a dead ball. The concrete stairways
leading into the dugout are out of play. A player may reach into the dugout to touch the rail and make
a catch provided he is not touching the concrete steps. Any ball entering the dugouts or striking the
roof is considered a dead ball.
3. Outfield Wall: Any batted ball, in fair territory, that hits the front of the protective rail is to be
considered a home run. Any batted ball that hits the batters eye windscreen is considered a home run.
Any batted ball, in fair territory, that becomes lodged into the outfield wall or under gate
pieces (Centerfield and Rightfield gates) shall be ruled a ground rule double.
4. Tarp: If a thrown or batted ball becomes lodged behind the rolled tarp or in the tarp roll itself, it is
considered dead. A player may lean on but not stand or attempt to climb on the rolled tarp to catch a
ball.
5. Foul Territory Wall or Field Gates: If a thrown ball becomes lodged in or under any field access gates or
related protective padding, the ball shall be considered dead. All other areas between the lines shall
remain as the rule book play.
LANSING LUGNUTS
Cooley Law School Stadium - Lansing, MI
1. Dugout Railings (Green Padded and Gray Metal): If the ball bounces off and lands in playing surface, it
is in play. If ball hits and goes into dugout, it is dead.