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	very ballpark has dimensions and characteristics that make it unique. With these unique characteristics, it is therefore necessary to create ground rules that are specific to each ballpark. Below are the basic ground rules that apply to SAFECO FIELD. Photographer's Areas The ball is "in play" if it hits any of the railings defining the photographer wells and bounces back onto the playing field. The vertical rails in the middle of the wells are considered in the wells and are out of play. Ball Hitting Roof Trusses A batted ball hitting a roof truss in fair territory shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it lands or is touched by a fielder. If caught by a fielder, the batter is out and base runners advance at their own risk. A batted ball hitting a roof truss in foul territory is a foul ball, regardless of where it lands or is touched by a fielder. If caught by a fielder, the batter is out and the base runners advance at their own risk. Outfield Area The hand-operated scoreboard in left field is part of the left field fence. A ball must clear the scoreboard (defined by yellow horizontal line) to be a home run. If a batted ball hits the cyclone fence under the scoreboard and above the padded wall, and the ball lodges behind the padded wall, it shall be ruled a ground-rule double whether it lodges behind the wall on the fly or on a bounce. The ladder and the handle attached to and to the right of the scoreboard are beyond the padded wall. A fly ball striking either the ladder or handle shall be ruled a home run. Dugouts A ball must enter the dugout to be considered a dead ball. Movement of the SAFECO Field Roof The decision to open or close the roof is one of the most frequently debated at SAFECO Field, right up there with which reliever to put into the game or which pinch hitter to use. The Mariners' number one priority is that baseball be played in SAFECO Field in the best possible conditions. A very close second is the comfort of our fans. Here are the basics on how that decision is made. Keep in mind that weather forecasting is not an exact science and also that opening and closing the roof is distracting to the players – both the Mariners and the visiting team. It is the team's decision whether or not to have the roof open at the start of a game. After the game starts, Major League Baseball rules are very specific. If the roof is open and climatic conditions warrant it, the roof can be extended in the middle of an inning. Once the roof is closed during a game, it will not be re-opened. If a game begins with the roof closed, it may be opened only between innings and the visiting team may challenge the decision to open it. If the visitors opt to challenge, the decision becomes the discretion of the Umpire Crew Chief. These policies may be modified from time to time as more experience is gained with the roof and its impact on play.
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