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In sports, out of bounds (or out-of-bounds) refers to being outside the playing boundaries of the field. Due to the chaotic nature of play, it is normal for players and/or the ball to go out of bounds frequently during a game. In some cases, players may intentionally go or send the ball out of bounds when it is to their advantage.

[edit] Gridiron football

In gridiron football, a play is considered to be dead if a ball or the player carrying the ball goes out of bounds.

A ball thrown out of bounds is considered an incomplete pass, even if it is caught.

The clock stops whenever the ball or the player carrying the ball goes out of bounds, and resumes upon the next play. Teams wishing to stop the clock without exhausting a timeout will intentionally try to cause either of these to occur.

If the player with the ball goes out of bounds in his own end zone, in most cases, it is considered to be a safety in favor of the other team.

A kickoff that goes out of bounds is a penalty.

In Canadian football, if a fumble goes out of bounds, the team of the last player to touch it gets possession.

In arena football, the clock stops for out of bounds plays only in the final minute of each half. At all other times, the clock keeps ticking.

[edit] Soccer

[edit] Baseball

In major league baseball, it is possible in baseball for a dugout to be a factor in play. MLB rule 6.05(a) states that a fielder may reach into a dugout to catch a fly ball as long as one or both feet is on or over the playing field, and does not have a foot on the ground in the dugout when making the catch. MLB universal ground rules state that the player may subsequently enter the dugout after making the catch if his momentum is carrying him that way, but if he falls in the dugout as a result, the catch is allowed but baserunners advance in accordance with Rule 7.04(c).[3]

A live ball entering a dugout becomes dead and the batter-runner and any baserunners advance in accordance with Rule 7.04(c). However, a live ball bouncing off a dugout railing, if present, is still in play (unless a foul ball). Due to the dugouts' location in foul territory, live balls entering dugouts usually only occur after an errant throw by the defensive team.

Individual leagues at levels below MLB are free to set their own rules governing the dugouts as is appropriate for their league's ballparks and playing level. For example, the rule governing reaching into dugouts to catch fly balls would not apply in leagues where the dugouts are separated from the field by a chain-link fence that is taller than the players.

[edit] Basketball

When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on that side.

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