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The ground rules for the cat walks were changed for the playoffs:
The Rays won't be playing in a new ballpark when the playoffs open on Wednesday, but they will be playing on a field with new ground rules.
Major League Baseball announced Monday that new rules governing balls that hit two of the catwalks over the field will be effective immediately. If a ball hits either the "A" or "B" ring, the two highest catwalks, it will be a dead ball and the pitch does not count. Previously, the ball would be ruled fair or foul based on where it hit the ground or was touched by a fielder.
There was hardly an epidemic of balls hitting the upper catwalks. According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, there have been 27 fair balls hitting those catwalks in 13 seasons. Of course, every time it did happen it caused embarrassment for the Rays and baseball, including a game that the Twins won with the help of such a hit earlier this season.
There was also a change regarding the lower, or "C" and "D," catwalks. Balls hitting the lower two catwalks in fair territory will be ruled a home run. Under the previous rule, there was space for a determination about whether or not those balls were doubles or home runs.
It's a sensible solution, although not an ideal one. Unfortunately, the bid for a new stadium that doesn't need ridiculous rules governing catwalks overhanging a baseball field isn't going anywhere and the Rays are still stuck playing in a building that isn't suited for the game.
This is better than what came before, because the thought of a playoff game turning on a ball hit off a catwalk is one that turns the stomach. Let's be honest, though, there was no way for anything to be any worse so this is barely a step in the right direction.
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