Why Nelson Cruz’s blast off a Tropicana Field catwalk counted as a home run

Let’s go over The Trop ground rules.

If the Tampa Bay Rays make another postseason run — and given the 5-0 win on Thursday night in Game 1 of their ALDS series against the Boston Red Sox, it might happen! — a rule that was invoked might come up again.

Rays slugger Nelson Cruz hit a ball that was surely headed for a home run, but it doinked off a cat walk and fell into play. There was some confusion as Cruz headed around second … but then umpires declared it was a dinger.

So: Why?

Time to consult the Tropicana Field ground rules: “Batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks (known as the ‘C-Ring’ and the ‘D-Ring’), including any lights or suspended objects attached to either of those catwalks as well as any angled support rods that connect the ‘C-Ring’ to the masts that support the ‘D-Ring’ in fair territory: Home Run.”

This one hit the “C-Ring.”

But if there’s a ball off the upper catwalks — you guessed it, they’re named “A-Ring” and “B-Ring” — they’re in play, so if someone catches the ball, it’s an out, or if they go foul, it’s a foul ball.

So now you know in case this comes up again.

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