Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 7/23/2010

Question
In a 9 year old baseball tournament with little league rules a kid hit a ball straight up in the air just missing the overhead backstop and hits a overhanging branch (in fair territory)from a tree behind the backstop. The ball is caught to the left of 3rd base line in foul territory. Is the batter out? Would it have been a hit if it went fair off the branch? The umpire called him out because he didn't see it hit the branch.

Answer
Brian,

Typically this is covered by ground rules that are discussed before the game.  A major league example is in the Astrodome, if a ball hits the roof or speakers in fair territory, it is a ground rule double.

Since the umpire didn't see it hit the branch it really doesn't matter.

Hope this helps!

Brian