Yesterday, Major League Baseball announced a change in the ground rule regarding the upper two catwalks at Tropicana Field
Batted ball that strikes either of the upper catwalks (known as the “A-ring” and the “B-ring”), including any lights or suspended objects attached to either of those rings and including the masts that support each of those catwalks as well as any angled support rods that connect the “B-ring” to the masts that support the “C-ring,” in fair territory: DEAD BALL and foul ball and the pitch does not count. Any declaration of an Infield Fly after the hit shall be nullified.
Earlier this season, the Minnesota Twins won a game after a Jason Kubel pop-up caromed off a catwalk and landed in fair territory, driving in what turned out to be the winning run.
The ground rule regarding the lower two catwalks (see below) remains unchanged.
Batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks (known as the “C-ring” and the “D-ring”), including any lights or suspended objects attached to either of those rings and including the masts that support each of those catwalks as well as any angled support rods that connect the “C-ring” to the masts that support the “D-ring,” in fair territory: Home Run.