The Ultimate Guide to Dead Ball Territory: NFHS Umpire Edition

🚀⚾️ Dive into the intricate world of dead ball territory with our latest video! Patrick Faerber from GHSA Baseball Umpire Development and Umpire Classroom brings you an essential guide for every NFHS umpire. From breathtaking over-the-fence catches to the crucial rules of awarding bases, this video is your one-stop resource for mastering the playfield.
📚 What You'll Learn:
- The definitive breakdown of in-play vs. dead ball areas in NFHS baseball.
- How to accurately award bases after those highlight-reel-worthy catches.
- Detailed case play analysis to prepare you for real-game scenarios.
🧠 Ready to test your knowledge? Take our quiz before diving into the case play review and see how well you know your stuff: forms.gle/GCvV4t6KGvqxy8dTA
👨‍🏫 About Patrick Faerber & Umpire Classroom:
Patrick Faerber brings years of expertise in umpire development, offering insights that enrich your understanding and application of baseball rules. At Umpire Classroom, we're dedicated to helping umpires at all levels refine their skills, offering courses and content that elevate your game.
📘 Interested in furthering your umpiring career? Discover our Umpire 101 course, tailored for both new umpires and associations looking for structured training. Visit us at umpireclassroom.com for more information.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more umpiring insights and tips. Share this video with your umpiring community and let’s raise the bar for officiating together!
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[@swayme67]

As always, well done. Thanks for putting these out and please keep these coming!

[@UmpireClassroom]

Thanks for watching and supporting!

[@jimmeade2976]

Many many years ago, in the professional minor league International League, there was a controversial play. The batter hit a line drive that struck the third base bag, turned right towards foul territory, and flew into the stands. After much discussion, the umpires ruled it a home run, on the basis that a fair ball (declared fair when it struck the third base bag) had left the umpires view, as well as leaving the field of play, without ever hitting the ground. Baseball rules have changed since then. Today, it would appear that this same rare play would be ruled a ground rule double.

[@adamtparker6515]

When attempting to Answer #1 Question: The field does not have a fence from the furthest edge of the 1st base dugout all the way to the outfield fence. B3 hits a ball down the right field line that lands fair and rolls towards the line defining dead ball territory. The ball settles on the line defining dead ball territory, where it is picked up by F9.* 10 points The ball should become dead when it touches the line for dead ball territory. The home team coach should define if the line is in or out as part of the ground rules. The ball should remain live when it touches the line for dead ball territory D. TRICK QUESTION, MOMENTUM OF PLAYER WILL LIKELY CARRY PLAYER OUT OF PLAY ONCE HE/SHE PICKS BALL UP, DEAD BALL OUT OF PLAY, BASE+1 (or MLB/NHSA award procedure) NOTE: almost all fields in the scenario will almost never have any lines to define out of play, and for safety reasons since the position of ball is borderline, OUT OF PLAY or DEAD BALL needs to be yelled if player's momentum continues to be clearly out of play direction.

[@user-md9kx6tu4x]

Very training, Thank you.

[@UmpireClassroom]

Thanks for watching and supporting!

[@mae2759]

Case Play #8 - If the fielder catches the ball and is folded over the short fence and touches DBT with his hand and pushes himself back over the fence, is this a live ball? Is it entirely based on feet location/touching?

[@UmpireClassroom]

That would be a dead ball because his feet are no longer touching live ball territory, and his hand is touching DBT.

[@mae2759]

I've never understood why a fly ball hitting the top of the fence and bouncing over is a home run and not a double. Isn't it no longer in flight? Always seemed like an inconsistency in the rule.

[@UmpireClassroom]

You're not crazy for that confusion.

[@rayray4192]

You are right; the rule book contradicts itself. The MLB umpire manual covers fly balls in flight striking the top of the home run fence and continuing over into dead ball territory. It’s a four base award. The top of the wall / fence is not considered part of the ground, or connected to the ground. The face of the wall is considered connected to earth.

[@mae2759]

@@rayray4192 The thing is, if it bounces off of the top of the wall and the fielder catches it, it's not a catch. So we can't even say to treat the top of the wall different than the face of the wall.

[@rayray4192]

@@mae2759 I get it - it’s nonsensical, but the rules of baseball have exceptions and comments and notes. Umpires have manuals that instruct them how to rule on unusual scenarios. Linguistically it makes no sense, but the way MLB umpires treat a fly ball off the top of the fence is the ball is still in flight in regard to a possible home run. You are correct that the fly ball can not be caught for an out if it strikes the top of the boundary fence, but it is still a possible home run. I didn’t establish the rule; I just study the rules. In the Giants vs Tigers World Series a fly ball came to rest on top of the home run fence. The ball was live and in play. I think I’m correct. But certainly not a home run and no reason for it to be a rule book double as far as I know.

[@DavidEmerling79]

Many fields have a yellow line on the top of the outfield wall. It always seems that the ground rule is that if a batted ball hits the top of the wall (yellow line) and goes over, it is a home run. Why is that still considered a ball “in flight?” if it hit an object other than a fielder? If it is still considered “in flight” after hitting the top of the wall - a requirement for it to be considered a home run - then, couldn’t the ball be caught after hitting the top of the wall and that would be considered a catch? In other words, how can the ball be considered “in flight” for the purpose of it being ruled a home run but not considered “in flight” for the purpose of it being ruled a catch?

[@UmpireClassroom]

The important factor is did the ball clear the wall in-flight. When it hits on top of the wall, it has already started into dead ball territory. When it hits the face of the wall, it hasn’t gone into dead-ball territory. So, the key is if the ball makes contact with the object as it has already entered the dead ball area. The top of the wall would be a yes, the face a no.

[@DavidEmerling79]

@@UmpireClassroom But what if the batted ball hits the top of the wall (yellow line) and does NOT go over? What if it bounces back towards the field and is caught by the fielder prior to hitting the ground? Is that a catch? If the answer is no - because it is not considered "in flight" - then why is it considered "in flight" if it hits the top of the wall and goes over?

[@UmpireClassroom]

@@DavidEmerling79 The yellow line signifies where dead ball territory begins. So, it is not in-flight because it has come in contact with an object. It has entered dead-ball territory, and the rule is for a HR, the ball must be in-flight when it enters dead ball territory, but by rule, it is not entirely in dead ball territory until the entire ball is in dead ball territory and in contact with an object.

[@Kelp8140]

What about a fair ball beyond the bases that has then rolled into foul territory (no longer in flight) which the fielder fields but due to their body momentum carries ball with both feet into dead ball territory. Basically a fielded and carry but not on purpose.

[@UmpireClassroom]

That would be a one base award from the time they leave the field of play.

[@WindRider1]

I was a little confused by Number 10. Did I understand you to say, if the ball hits the middle of the fence and the goes over without hitting the ground, it is a ground rule double? What if it hits the top of the fence and then bounces over? Is it a HR or 2B?

[@standyer7482]

Yes on question one, HR on question two.

[@helviojr]

Very nice class. Some plays are exclusive for HS, right? That would be the case of one foot in foul and other in dead area, correct?

[@UmpireClassroom]

Specifically this case play yes!

[@helviojr]

I had one other doubt, regarding the last case play, if the ball had hit the TOP of the wall (instead of the face of it), usually marked in yellow, would that be home run in the moment of the touch? Even if it comes back to the field?

[@Libertarian_Neighbor]

Interesting question. It might be a “ground rules” thing. I think that rule should be changed, but until it is, maybe declaring a home run as part of the ground rules fixes it.

[@UmpireClassroom]

Going over the top or contacting the top on the way out makes it a home run. So basically, the line denoting dead ball territory (the top flat part of the wall) does not affect "in-flight" status. But the facing of the wall does impact "in-flight' status.

[@UmpireClassroom]

Well remember, declaring it in ground rules isn't allowed if it contradicts written rules. So, it's unlikely you can add a ground rule in this scenario.

[@helviojr]

@@UmpireClassroom Perfect! Thank you very much.

[@KipPowe]

@@UmpireClassroom I think this needs a little clarification. If a batted ball hits the top of the wall and continues out of play, it is a ball in flight that goes over a fence and is a home run. However, if it hits the top of the wall and bounces back into the field of play without touching anything else, it has not gone over a fence in flight and is not a home run but is a live ball still in play.

[@alcoraces]

So in NFHS a catch made with one foot completely touching in dead ball territory is legal so long as the other one is touching in play then. Which is completely different than OBR. Just out of curiosity, why is this the rule in NFHS? What is the intent and purpose of that?

[@UmpireClassroom]

Yes it's different than OBR. Why I have no idea. The OBR rule seems like it would be safer.

[@davidb.7040]

case play 2 and 3 are the same yet two different answers. both say foot in dead ball area but one says foot on the line and the other says foot in live ball area. how can this be ? please explain. thanks

[@UmpireClassroom]

The foot has to be in contact with live ball territory if in a scenario where the other foot is touching dead ball territory.

[@davidb.7040]

or is it he catches ball with one foot in dead ball area and the other foot was in the air for some odd reason. so both feet have to be in contact with the ground at the time of the catch?

[@UmpireClassroom]

Over live ball territory and touching live ball territory have a significant impact when the other foot is already and entirely in dead ball area.

[@UmpireClassroom]

Correct!

[@dfulf1]

What is the base award for a runner when an outfielder catches a ball and then his momentum carries him into dead ball territory with a) one foot or b) with two feet?

[@dfulf]

one base even if only one foot is in dead ball territory? Thanks!!!!@@UmpireClassroom

[@UmpireClassroom]

Sorry I think I misread! In situation a, one foot in dead ball territory but in contact with live ball territory keeps him in play so no award and live ball. Both feet out becomes a dead ball and 1 base award

[@shanebroome7968]

I am confused by player kicking ball versus deflecting off player. Deflection means ball was not originally going into dead-ball area but was deflected there, the same as with kicking the ball, but awards are different. Can i get that explained better please? I think i know what is meant but wording is confusing me. Are you saying player intentionally kicks it?

[@UmpireClassroom]

Deflection means most the power and momentum of the ball is still coming from the ball being hit. Kick means the power and momentum from the hit are not enough, but the players kick gives the ball the power to get out of play.

[@mae2759]

If the ball was rolling and in your judgment it would have never made it to dead ball territory on its own, but is then kicked in to dead ball territory, then the award is from the time of the kick. If it's just a "deflection" and the fielder didn't add substantial momentum to the ball, then it's from the time of pitch or throw.

[@shanebroome7968]

@@UmpireClassroom Thank you for clarifying. That makes it clear for me. Thanks for all these videos. Really helpful.

[@shanebroome7968]

@@mae2759Thank you for the help.

[@dfulf1]

In your Case 7 why is this a catch? Isn’t the dugout dead ball area?

[@UmpireClassroom]

In NFHS baseball, the player only needs one foot in live ball territory to make a catch.

[@Libertarian_Neighbor]

They need to change the home run rule immediately. If no one touches a ball and it ends up over the fence it should be a home run. God help the umpires that try to explain it as a 2 base award to coaches, players and fans.

[@UmpireClassroom]

The trick will definitely be using rule book terminology with "in-flight." and the definitions for when a ball loses that status.

[@bryonweatherford1772]

​@UmpireClassroom so what prevents a batted balled that hits the top of the fence and then carries over the fence from being a ground rule double. By rule it is no longer in flight.

[@rayray4192]

@@bryonweatherford1772there is a caveat. Any fly ball that touches the top of the home run fence in flight and then goes over the fence is a four base award. A homer. In. San Francisco during the World Series a fly ball came to rest on top of the fence. The ball was live and in play. Batter reached second base. My memory says it was hit by a Tiger.

[@rayray4192]

Case play #5 happened in right field at Fenway park in a playoff game or maybe the World Series. Ball struck fence and then right fielder‘a body and then bounced into the Red Sox bullpen over the short fence. I thought the crew ruled two bases from the time of the deflection. I know one team was pissed off. Perhaps someone knows the scenario

[@rayray4192]

@@bryonweatherford1772the rule book is poorly written. It’s a home run.