ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Just in time for the playoffs, Major League Baseball has approved a change in the grounds rules for Tropicana Field that affects fly balls that strike the upper two catwalks in the domed stadium.

Instead of being in play, a batted ball that caroms off the A- and B-ring catwalks that support the stadium roof will be ruled a dead ball and the pitch will not count.

Balls that strike the two lower catwalks in fair territory will continue to be home runs.