Tropicana Field Rules

Okay in the sixth inning with 2 outs AJ Burnett got Evan Longoria to pop up to what seemed like an easy out. Jorge Posada went into foul ground to track the ball, then Mark Teixeira charged in toward the plate, then Robinson Cano started toward second base, then Derek Jeter charged toward Robinson Cano, then the ball dropped in between Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter in between first and second base. The ball was popped straight up and hit a speaker that is suspended from the roof of the dome.

These are the ground rules for Tropicana Field:

• A batted ball that hits the catwalk, lights or suspended objects in foul territory will automatically be ruled a dead ball and it shall be called a strike.

• A batted ball that hits a catwalk, lights or suspended objects in fair territory shall be judged fair of foul in relation to the striking point on the ground or where it is touched by the fielder. If the ball hits the catwalk, lights or suspended objects in fair territory and lands in the field in fair territory or is touched by a fielder in fair territory, it shall be judged a fair ball. If the ball strikes the catwalk, lights or suspended objects in fair territory and is caught by a fielder in fair or foul territory, then the batter is out and the base runners run at their own risk.

• A batted ball that hits the catwalk, lights or suspended objects and remains on or in the catwalk, lights or suspended objects in foul territory is a foul ball and it shall be called a strike.

• A batted ball that hits the catwalk, lights or suspended objects and remains on or in the catwalk, lights or suspended objects in fair territory is a fair ball and it shall be called a double.

• A batted ball that hits either of the lower two catwalks, lights or suspended objects in fair territory is a home run.

  
  

  So when Joe Girardi went out to argue the call I imagine the conversation went like this:

  

  Joe Girardi: What was that? It hit the speaker behind the plate.

  
  

  Umpire: No, if you hit it high enough now it's a hit.