What is a ground rule triple in baseball?

Answer 1

If a defensive player throws his glove to stop a batted ball, the batter and all runners are entitled to 3 bases. The same penalty is applied if the fielder catches the ball with his hat or any other part of his uniform. (MLB rules 7.05.b and c)

I don't know if those would be scored as a triple, but those are the only 3 base penalties on the books.

Answer 2

As the name implies, it depends on the ground rules for the stadium in question. For instance, in the 1960s, if a ball lodged in the monuments in center field in Yankee Stadium it was a ground rule triple - yes, folks, the monuments used to be on the playing field and were in play; I saw a photograph of Mickey Mantle making a throw between two of them. Such matters are generally not in the purview of the umpire's judgement as it is clear whether the rule applies or not. The managers and umpires review the ground rules before every game. Although a ball that bounces over the fence is called a "ground rule" double, this is in fact in the rule book (since the late 1920s - prior to this it was a home run, though it is said that none of Ruth's 60 homers in 1927 bounced over the fence). [Some stadia, like Shea Stadium, also list it as a ground rule.] The same would apply to the equipment rule another answerer cited: it is in the rule book, not a ground rule. In certain World Series, spectators were allowed onto the field (the game had been oversold) and it was a ground rule triple to hit a ball into those areas.

Answer 3

Just to further elaborate Jeremy's post, the 3 base penalty is only enforced if the player's hat or glove actually make contact with the ball. There is no penalty if the ball is not touched. Whether or not contact was made is up to the judgement of the umpire.
(c) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.

But that I know of, there is no ground rule triple for a batted ball, just additional base penalties enforced against the defense which allow a runner to advance

Answer 4

It's extremely rare. None of the current 30 ballparks have an automatic triple in effect.

I have heard that Forbes Field, where the Pirates used to play, had such an immensely deep center field (over 450 feet) that the grounds crew would park the batting cage out there rather than store it off-field, and that any live ball that hit the cage was an automatic triple, but I've never seen this confirmed.

There are a few three-base awards that umpires are obliged to give, but those are based on illegal actions by the defense.

Answer 5

I'm not sure I would call this a "ground rule" triple, but if a fielder intentionally throws his glove at a ball and it hits it, the batter is awarded third base and all runners in front of him legally score. If the glove is thrown and strikes a ball that eventually goes over the fence for a home run, the batter is awarded the home run with no penalty to the defense.

Answer 6

A ground rule double is when the ball, hit in play goes out of play over the fence or is touched by a fan after landing in the playing field.

Sorry, no such thing as a ground rule triple.

Answer 7

There was ground rule triple in Worlds Series of 1909. The home e teams sold out all seats, so they roped off sections along outfield wall to allow for extra fans. Any ball hit into the roped off area was considered a ground rule triple. Basically, MLB invented a rule to make them more $, go figure!

Answer 8

I have never heard of a ground rule triple. I have heard of ground rule doubles and book rule doubles, but unless the field had a major quirk in it I would find it hard to imagine a field that would use a three base award due to some sort of obstruction or field variance.

Answer 9

I know that an umpire, at his discretion, can award a third base to a runner when a ground rule double is hit, if he feels that runner would have scored. Rarely happens, but I've seen it. Not sure if he can award 3rd to the batter, however. I've never seen that happen, and I'm sure the manager of the other team would pitch a fit if it happened.

Answer 10

You can't have a ground-rule triple.