Suggested Rule Changes

[Southpaw Slim]

After the past couple of games at Curt Flood, it's become apparent that the ground rules may not be adequate. When a ball passes the dugout on the third base side of the softball field it's called a ground rule double. Similarly, a batted ball that rolls beyond the first base dugout of the softball field is a triple.

Having seen both of these scenarios a couple of times, it may be worth revisiting the rules. Any ball that makes it past the softball field is a guaranteed inside-the-park home run. I don't think I've ever seen otherwise, even with our slowest players. On the other hand, if a ball makes it past the dugout on the third base side, a double relay might possibly hold someone to two bases. The relays would have to be quick and accurate, but it is possible.

In MLB, there are many occasions where a ground rule double is hit to a location where it would certainly mean a triple, or better for a speedy runner. It was with this thinking that the current ground rules were drafted. Sometimes, a player is luckier to keep the ball from going over the fence.

Discuss.

[Baseball=Life]

Well, here's the deal. If it goes past the fence/dugout on the 1st base side of the softball field, it's a HR. If it goes into or behind the fence/dugout on the 3rd base side of the softball field, it's a 3B. I don't see any combination of plays or throws resulting in that ball hit into/behind the 3rd base side resulting in anyone being held at 2B.

Of course, anything hit within the softball field, ie not behind or within or into the areas described above, is a live ball.

[Southpaw Slim]

Scott, would you be willing to update the rulebook to reflect those changes?

[TheLegend]

I don't think balls hit to the asphalt on the 1st base side of the softball field should be auto HRs. I mean... just sunday Will was held to a triple in that situation... and he's near the top of our league in terms of speed.

[gohlkus]

To me, I feel that's the point -- he's held to a triple on a hit that, if there were a fence in a fairly normal spot, he'd have gotten a home run.

I admit, however, that there is some merit to the argument that "them's the breaks."

[Blancito21]

I don't think balls hit to the asphalt on the 1st base side of the softball field should be auto HRs. I mean... just sunday Will was held to a triple in that situation... and he's near the top of our league in terms of speed.

Will's ball did not reach the asphalt, if it did, he would have run the bases twice for a 2-run homer. If you only get a triple or get thrown out after hitting a ball that reaches or rolls to the asphalt you should not being doing any physical activities outside of a treadmill under doctor's supervision to get your whale-ass back down to a healthy human weight. Not only is the asphalt immeasurably farther than any ball could be hit, you'd need 4 cutoff men to get it home on a straight line.

[Southpaw Slim]

I think the rule may need some clarification. It is not for balls hit onto the asphalt. It's for batted balls that roll beyond the fence untouched.

As for Will's hit, it did not make it beyond the 1st base line. If so, it would have been a ground rule triple and there would have been no need to throw the ball in and hold him to three bases.