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.

• 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 ballis dead. See Rule5.09(a)(1) Comment.
• 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 or along outfield walls are treated as part of the railings or outfield walls 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 or audio equipment attached to the facing of the backstop screen are considered part of the screen.
  • A batted ball striking the backstop camera or audio equipment is considered a dead ball.
  • A thrown ball striking the backstop camera or audio equipment 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.

• Ball striking any forward facing green padded dugout or photographer well railing and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.
   
• Ball striking or resting on padded flat area at the home plate end of the Angels' dugout is considered in the dugout: Out of Play. (Fielder is permitted to lean on or over this area in an attempt to field the ball.)

• Ball striking yellow square at top of outfield wall: In Play. (However, ball striking fence support above yellow square is considered to have gone over fence (i.e., home run, ground-rule double, etc.))

• Ball striking the top of the outfield wall and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play.

• Ball striking yellow line on the 18-foot wall located in front of the seating area in right field and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play.

• Ball striking above or behind the yellow line on the 18-foot wall located in front of the seating area in right field: Home Run.