Attention Fox and ESPN baseball commentators
From Section 6.09 of the Official Rules of Major League Baseball:
(e) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to advance two bases; (f) Any fair ball which, either before or after touching the ground, passes through or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through any opening in the fence or scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases; (g) Any bounding fair ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over or under a fence on fair or foul territory, in which case the batter and all runners shall be entitled to advance two bases; (h) Any fair fly ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over the fence into foul territory, in which case the batter shall be entitled to advance to second base; but if deflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory, the batter shall be entitled to a home run. However, should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 250 feet from home plate, the batter shall be entitled to two bases only.
The gist is: if you bounce a ball into the stands it is a double. An automatic double or an official rules double. It is not a "ground rule double." Ground rules (MLB 3:13) are special rules unique to a particular field. (The ivy at Wrigley Field for example.) Let me say it again for Joe Morgan: Since a bounced ball into the stands is a normal rule for all fields it is not a "ground rule."
Yes, I have been watching too much baseball. Thanks for noticing.
