In baseball, ground rules are special rules particular to each baseball park in which the game is played. Unlike the well-defined playing field of most other sports, the playing area of a baseball field extends to an outfield fence in fair territory and the stadium seating in foul territory. The unique design of each ballpark, including fences, dugouts, bullpens, railings, stadium domes, photographer's wells and TV camera booths, requires that rules be defined to handle situations in which these objects may interact or interfere with the ball in play or with the players. Major League Baseball has defined a set of "universal ground rules" that apply to all MLB ballparks; individual ballparks have the latitude to set ground rules above and beyond the universal ground rules, as long as they do not directly contradict each other. Additionally, a set of universal ground rules exists for the six MLB stadiums with retractable roofs, with the individual ballparks able to set additional rules. The term ground rule double is often applied to a batted ball that bounces fair, then over the outfield fence in fair or foul territory, although some commentators and writers shun the term because league-wide rules, not ground rules, apply in this case.
*No equipment is permitted to be left on the top step 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.
A batted ball in flight can be caught between or under railings and around screens.
Individual ballpark ground rules vary greatly from ballpark to ballpark. For the 2017 season, Citi Field, Kauffman Stadium, Target Field, Yankee Stadium, and Guaranteed Rate Field are the only MLB ballparks that do not have individual ground rules above the universal set. Examples of ground rules that have been or are still in major league ballparks include:
Minute Maid Park – A batted ball striking the flagpole in center field and bouncing onto the field is in play; a ball striking the flagpole while in flight and leaving the playing field is a home run. The flagpole and the hill that it was on were removed following the 2016 season, and the rule has been removed from the specific ballpark rules list.
Tropicana Field – A batted ball that hits either of the two lower catwalks between the yellow foul poles is ruled a home run. The two upper catwalks are considered in play; a ball that touches either can drop for a hit or be caught for an out.
Citi Field – Any fair ball in flight hitting the overhanging Pepsi-Cola sign is ruled an automatic home run. The sign has since been changed to "Coca-Cola" following new sponsorship in 2016, and no longer overhangs. The rule has since been removed from the specific ballpark rules.
Movement of retractable roofs
These ground rules only apply at ballparks featuring retractable roofs. As of the 2012 season, these are: Rogers Centre, Chase Field, Safeco Field, Miller Park, Minute Maid Park, and Marlins Park. Rules governing batted balls striking the roof are defined in each individual ballpark's ground rules.
Universal
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 closing 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.
Ballpark-specific
All ballpark-specific retractable roof ground rules concern opening of the roof after a game has started. If the game starts with the roof closed:
Chase Field, Miller Park, Minute Maid Park, & Safeco Field permit its opening during the game if weather conditions warrant, as long as the following procedure is followed:
*The roof may be opened only once during the game.
*The Umpire Crew Chief will be notified at the beginning of the inning that the roof will be opened at the inning's end.
*The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof. 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 begin between innings.
Chase Field requires that the roof is opened in two sets of 2-minute-and-15-second intervals, at the conclusion of one inning and the conclusion of the following inning.
If the game starts with the roof open and it is closed during the game:
Miller Park permits re-opening during the game as long as the above procedure is followed.
At Chase Field, Minute Maid Park, Safeco Field and Rogers Centre, once the roof is closed during a game, it shall not be reopened.
