Universal Ground Rules

The Commissioner's Office has issued the following Universal Ground Rules for use in all Major League ballparks this season. Ground Rules pertaining to individual parks are posted separately in those parks. U.S. Cellular Field, Kauffman Stadium and Yankee Stadium currently do not have ground rules other than the Universal Ground Rules listed below.

• Ball on the top step (lip) of the dugout is in play.
• No equipment is permitted to be left on the top step (lip) of the dugout. If a ball hits equipment left on the top step it is dead.
• A player is not permitted to step or go into a dugout to make a catch.
• A player is permitted to reach into a dugout to make a catch. If a player makes a catch outside the dugout and the player's momentum carries him into the dugout, then the catch is allowed and the ball remains alive as long as the player does not fall while in the dugout. See Rule 6.05(a).
• A batted ball in flight can be caught between or under railings and around screens.
• A catch may be made on the field tarp.
• Batted or thrown ball lodging in the rotating signage behind home plate or along first base or third base stands is out of play.
• Batted or thrown ball resting on the rotating signage behind home plate or along first base or third base stands is in play.
• The facings of railings surrounding the dugout and photographers areas are in play.
• Any cameras or microphones permanently attached on railings are treated as part of the railings and are in play.
• Any recessed railings or poles that are in the dugout and photographers areas are out of play and should be marked with red to mark them out of play.
• Robotic cameras attached to the facing of the backstop screen are considered part of the screen.
• A batted ball striking the backstop camera is considered a dead ball.
• A thrown ball striking the backstop camera is considered in play.
• A ball striking the guy wires that support the backstop is a dead ball.
• A ball lodging behind or under canvas on field tarp is out of play.
• A ball striking the field tarp and rebounding onto the playing field is in play.
• No chairs can be brought out of the dugout or bullpen and onto the playing field.
• All yellow lines are in play.

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Ballpark Ground Rules

Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight strikes fence of right field corner wall and leaves the field: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight strikes pole (painted black) above fence in right center field: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight strikes right of yellow line in right center or left of line in left center: Home Run.
• Batted ball strikes centerfield wall, girders or face of overhangs in centerfield on or between yellow lines and rebounds onto playing field: In Play.
• Batted ball in flight strikes centerfield wall between yellow lines and caroms over shorter fence: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight striking above yellow line in batters' eye and rebounding onto playing field: Home Run.

ROOF

• Batted ball strikes roof over fair territory:
• Ball shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder.
• If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.
• Batted ball strikes roof over foul territory: Dead Ball.

MOVEMENT OF ROOF

Atlanta Braves - Turner Field

DUGOUT AREAS

• Ball striking facings over dugouts: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• A ball lodged in the chain-link fence in front of the field level scoreboards in left field and right field: Dead Ball.

Baltimore Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

• Ball striking surfaces, pillars or facings surrounding dugouts: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair bounding ball striking railing above cement wall down right field line in foul territory: In Play.
• Batted ball in flight striking grounds crew shed roof in right field and rebounding onto playing field: Home Run.

Boston Red Sox - Fenway Park

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball over line on top of the left field wall: Home Run.
• Fair ball going through scoreboard, either on the bound or in flight: Two Bases.
• Batted ball in flight striking to the right of yellow line on left center field wall behind flagpole: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight striking left center field wall to left of line behind flagpole and bounding into seats on top of center field wall: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight striking left of line in right center field and bounding into bullpen: Home Run.
• Fair ball striking the ladder below top of left field wall and bounding out of park: Two Bases.

Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair bounding ball striking railing or screen attached to bleacher wall and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.
• Fair bounding ball lodges in screen attached to bleacher wall: Two Bases.
• Fair batted ball lodges in vines on bleacher wall: Two Bases.
• Fair ball enters vines on bleacher wall and rebounds onto playing field: In Play.
• Fair ball lodges in or under grates in left or right field: Two Bases.

BULLPEN AREA

• Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: Out of Play.
• Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: In Play.

Chicago White Sox - U.S. Cellular Field

Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ball Park

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

• Ball striking facing over dugout or recessed steel railing: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking vertical yellow line in left-center field or right field corner and caroming over outfield fence: Home Run.
• Batted fair ball striking railing on top of wall down the line in foul territory and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.

Cleveland Indians - Progressive Field

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

• Ball striking roofs or color facings of dugouts, camera pits or diamond suites: Out of Play

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking the flat area in front of right field seating area and beyond right field wall: Home Run.

Colorado Rockies - Coors Field

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair ball striking net in left field and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.
• Fair ball going through, resting on or lodging in scoreboard in right field, either on bounce or in flight: Two Bases.

Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking padding below the top of outfield wall and caroming into stands: Two Bases.
• Batted ball in flight striking above padding: Home Run.

Florida Marlins - Dolphin Stadium

DUGOUT AND CAMERA AREAS

• Ball striking facing of roof over dugouts: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball striking any portion of left field scoreboard below uppermost edge: In Play.
• Batted ball in flight striking any portion of foul pole above uppermost edge of left field scoreboard: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight striking any portion of left field scoreboard and caroming over lower outfield wall: Home Run.

Houston Astros - Minute Maid Park

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball strikes screen in left-center field and rebounds onto playing field: In Play.
• Batted ball goes through or lodges in out-of-town scoreboard, either on bounce or in flight: Two Bases.
• Batted ball in flight strikes yellow line on fence or top of railing in left center field and bounds into stands: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight strikes yellow line on fence or top of railing in left center field and rebounds onto the playing field: In Play.
• Batted ball hits the top of the out-of-town scoreboard ledge and goes into the stands: Two Bases.
• Batted ball hits the side railing of the Crawford boxes and goes into the stands: Two Bases.
• Batted ball strikes higher wall or railing and rebounds over lower wall: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight strikes flagpole and leaves the field: Home Run.
• Batted ball strikes flagpole and rebounds onto playing field: In Play.
• Batted ball strikes flagpole and rebounds onto playing field and then bounces over fence: Two Bases.

ROOF

• Batted ball strikes roof over fair territory:
• Ball shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder.
• If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.
• Batted ball strikes roof over foul territory: DEAD BALL

MOVEMENT OF ROOF

Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Angel Stadium

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

• Ball striking any forward facing green padded dugout or photographer well railing and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Ball hitting yellow square at top of outfield wall on right side of bullpen gate: In Play (However, ball hitting fence support above yellow square is considered to have gone over fence (i.e., home run, ground-rule double, etc).
• Ball striking railings above fence in right field: Home Run

Los Angeles Dodgers - Dodger Stadium

BACKSTOP AREA

• Batted ball striking camera on top of backstop: Dead Ball.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball hitting bullpen gate in either left or right field and bouncing into the seats: Home Run.

Milwaukee Brewers - Miller Park

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking yellow portion of pad in left field corner: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight striking blue portion of pad in right field corner: Foul.
• Fair bounding ball striking yellow portion of pad: Two Bases.
• Fair bounding ball striking blue portion of pad: In Play.

ROOF

• Batted ball strikes roof, roof truss, or roof cable over fair territory:
• Ball shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder.
• If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.
• Batted ball strikes roof, roof truss, or roof cable over foul territory: Dead Ball.

MOVEMENT OF ROOF AND EXTERIOR WALL PANELS

Minnesota Twins - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking right field wall and goes out of play in foul territory: Two bases.
• Batted ball in flight striking right field wall and goes out of play in fair territory: Home Run.

BULLPEN AREA

• Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: Out of Play.
• Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: In Play.

ROOF AND SPEAKERS

• Batted ball strikes roof or speakers over fair territory:
• Ball to be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder.
• If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.
• Batted ball strikes roof or speakers over foul territory: DEAD BALL

MOVEMENT OF ROOF

New York Mets - Shea Stadium

DUGOUT AREAS

• Ball striking surfaces or facings surrounding dugouts: Out of Play.
• Ball entering area at outfield end of home dugout, adjacent to camera pit (designated orange line): Out of Play.
• Ball entering area around bat boy stools or hitting stools: In Play.
• Ball lodging beneath bat boy stools: Dead ball.

FIELD BOX SEATS

• Thrown or fair ball that lodges behind or under field box seats: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair ball bouncing over four-foot fence in foul territory in left or right field: Two Bases.

New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium

Oakland Athletics - McAfee Coliseum

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball striking face of out-of-town scoreboard: In Play.
• Batted ball striking above face of out of town scoreboard (above yellow line on top of scoreboard): Home Run

BULLPEN AREA

• Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: Out of Play.
• Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: In Play.

Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

• Ball striking dugout roof: Out of Play.

BACKSTOP AREA

• Ball going into camera area behind home plate: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Left Field:
• Over the fence and in plantings: Home Run.
• Ball strikes spectator in fair territory: Home Run.
• Left Center Field to Center Field:
• Ball hits to the left of the vertical yellow line: Home Run.
• Ball hits on or to right of the vertical yellow line and rebounds back onto the field: In Play.
• Ball hits on or to the right of the vertical yellow line and goes over the center field fence without striking the ground: Home Run.
• Ball strikes plexiglass barriers on the top of outfield wall at the bottom of seating area walkways: In Play.
• Right Center Field to Center Field:
• Ball wedges in chain link fence in front of out-of-town scoreboard: Two Bases.
• Ball strikes fence or scoreboard and goes over the lower center field fence without striking the ground: Home Run.
• Ball strikes fence or scoreboard and goes over higher portion of outfield fence without striking the ground: Two Bases.
• Ball strikes top of outfield fence or scoreboard and bounds into stands: Home Run.
• Ball strikes top of outfield fence or scoreboard and rebounds onto the playing field: In Play.
• Right Field:
• Ball strikes plexiglass barriers on the top of outfield wall at the bottom of seating area walkways: In Play.

Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking taller wall in left-center field and bounding into left field stands: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight striking base of chain-link bullpen fence and bounding over outfield wall: Two Bases.
• Batted ball in flight striking padding on taller wall in right-center field and bounding into right-center field stands: Home Run.

San Diego Padres - PETCO Park

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

• Ball enters warning track adjacent to either side of the dugout seats: In Play.

OUTFIELD

• Left Field:
• Ball strikes east (right) side of the Western Metal Supply Building: Home Run.
• Ball strikes anything attached to east (right) side of the Western Metal Supply Building: Home Run.
• Ball strikes south (left) side of the Western Metal Supply Building: Foul Ball.
• Right Field:
• Ball strikes spectator rail at the Right Field Porch and rebounds onto the playing field: In Play.
• Ball in flight strikes the top of the spectator rail at the Right Field Porch and bounds into the stands: Home Run.
• Ball strikes padded Right Field wall and then bounds over the higher spectator rail at the Right Field Porch: Two Bases.

BULLPEN AREA

• Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: Out of Play.
• Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: In Play.

San Francisco Giants - AT&T Park

BACKSTOP AREA

• Ball going into camera window in back of home plate: Out of Play.

BULLPEN AREA

• Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: Out of Play.
• Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: In Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball rolls on right field fence (foul territory): In Play.
• Batted ball stays on wall too long in umpire's judgment: Out of Play.
• Batted ball stays on top of right field bullpen awning: Two Bases.
• Batted ball bounding off of wire fence above right field bullpen awning: In Play.
• Batted ball landing on green metal on top of right field wall: Home Run.
• Fair ball strikes rail in center field and rebounds onto playing field: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight strikes to the left of vertical line on center field wall: Home Run.
• Batted ball in flight strikes center field wall right of yellow line and caroms left into stands: Home Run.

Seattle Mariners - Safeco Field

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair ball (either in flight or on bounce) striking net under hand operated scoreboard in left field, and lodging behind padded wall: Two Bases.
• Ladder and handle attached to and to right of scoreboard are beyond wall. Batted ball in flight striking ladder or handle: Home Run.
• Netting in right field corner in foul territory is above and beyond the wall. A batted ball that bounds into the netting is a dead ball whether or not it rebounds onto the playing field: Two Bases.

ROOF TRUSSES

• Batted ball strikes roof truss over fair territory:
• Ball to be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder.
• If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.
• Batted ball strikes roof truss over foul territory: Dead Ball

MOVEMENT OF ROOF

St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium

OUTFIELD AREA

• Batted ball in flight striking the top or inside of the yellow screen attached from the top of the left field outfield wall to the left field foul pole: Home Run.

Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field

BULLPEN AREA

• Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: Out of Play.
• Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: In Play.

CATWALKS, LIGHTS AND SUSPENDED OBJECTS

• Batted ball strikes catwalk, light or suspended object over fair territory:
• Batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks, lights or suspended objects in fair territory: Home Run.
• Batted ball that is not judged a home run and remains on a catwalk, light or suspended object: Two Bases.
• Batted ball that is not judged a home run and strikes a catwalk, light or suspended object in fair territory shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder. If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.
• Batted ball strikes catwalk, light or suspended object over foul territory: DEAD BALL

Texas Rangers - Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

DUGOUT AREAS

• Ball striking facing of dugout and rebounding onto playing field: Out of Play.

RAILINGS

• Ball striking any railing adjacent to field and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair ball lodging in fence padding or in manually operated scoreboard in left field fence: Two Bases.

Toronto Blue Jays - Rogers Centre

OUTFIELD AREA

• Fair ball lodging in fence padding: Two Bases.
• Fair ball striking fence padding and bouncing over fence: Two Bases.
• Ball striking padding on outfield fence to foul or seating side of foul line: Out of Play.
• Batted ball striking the top of the outfield wall above the left center and right center field videoboards and bounding over the fence: Home Run.
• Batted ball striking the top of the outfield wall above the left center and right center field videoboards and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play.

MOVEMENT OF ROOF

Washington Nationals - Nationals Park

OUTFIELD AREA - LEFT FIELD

• Fair bounding ball striking above the padded outfield wall between the vertical yellow line in foul territory and the left field foul pole is out of play: Two Bases.
• Fair bounding ball striking above the padded outfield wall on or to the left of the vertical yellow line in foul territory is in play.

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Guidelines for Movement of Retractable Roofs

• The decision as to whether a game begins with the roof open or closed rests solely with the home club.
• If the game begins with the roof open:
• It shall be closed only in the event of impending rain or other adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the roof shall be made by the home club, after consultation with the Umpire Crew Chief.
• The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
• (Arizona, Houston, Seattle, Toronto): Once the roof is closed during a game, it shall not be reopened.
• (Milwaukee Only): The roof may be re-opened by following the procedures for opening the roof as detailed below.
• If the game begins with the roof closed:
• (Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.
• (Arizona, Houston, Milwaukee, Seattle): It may be opened when, in the opinion of the home club, the climatic environment has reached a level where fan comfort and enjoyment will be best served by opening the roof to the natural atmospheric conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following guidelines should be applied opening the roof during a game.
• The roof may be opened only once during the game.
• The Umpire Crew Chief will be notified at the commencement of the inning that the roof will be opened at the inning's conclusion.
• The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
• The opening of the roof shall only commence between innings.
• (Arizona Only): The roof shall be opened in a pair of 2 minute, 15 second intervals; one interval at the conclusion of an inning and one interval at the conclusion of the next inning.