[1] Major League Baseball (MLB) has a set of universal ground rules that apply at all ballparks, two of which award two bases to the batter and any baserunners:[2] Two bases can also be awarded per home park ground rules—rules created to provide for unique playing conditions of a specific ballpark.
For example, these rules cover balls that hit the ground in fair territory and land out of play, typically by bouncing over a fence or wall in the outfield.
However, should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 250 feet (76 m) from home plate, the batter shall be entitled to two bases only.
[6][7] In the early years of baseball, batted balls that cleared the fence in fair territory on the fly or after a bounce were counted as home runs.
[10] The last "bounce" home run in MLB was hit by Al López of the Brooklyn Robins on September 12, 1930, at Ebbets Field.