Is It Fair or Foul?--You Make The Call

Definition of a Fair Ball--One that settles between home or third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past third or first base, or that first falls in fair territory on or beyond first or third base, or that while in or over fair territory, touches the person of an umpire or player. NOTE: A fair ball will be adjudged according to the relative position of the ball and the fair-foul line, not whether the fielder is in fair or foul territory at the time the ball is touched.

Definition of a Foul Ball--One that settles in foul ground between home and first or third base, or that bounds past first or third base in or over foul territory beyond first or third base, or that while in or over foul territory touches the person of an umpire or player or any object foreign to the natural ground.

A key word in the above definitions is “settles”. Thus, on all calls between home plate and the bases, it makes no difference where the ball first hits. It must be adjudged on where it finally comes to rest or is touched.

Also remember these three things: 1) A pebble is part of the natural ground, just as the grass. 2) All bases including Home plate, are in fair territory and so are the fair-foul lines. 3) The fair-foul pole is merely a vertical extension of the fair-foul line.

#01. The ball first bounces in foul territory at point A, hits a pebble, bounces into fair territory at point B and is fielded there.

#02. The ball hits at point A in fair, but spins into foul and comes to rest, or is touched at point B.

#03. The ball hits at point A in foul, spins forward and come to rest directly on home plate.

#04. A batted ball hits the batter’s leg while still in the batter’s box, bounces into fair and is fielded there.

#05. A runner takes a lead off third base in foul. A line drive hits the runner and the bounces fair, where it is fielded.

#06. Runner is standing on third, one foot on the base and the other foul. Ground ball hits the foot that is on the base.

#07. A line drive hits the pitching rubber without touching an umpire or a player, caroms into foul between home and third and bounces into the stands.

#08. A ball rolls along the fair -foul line; touches a corner of third base and rolls foul, never passing the base.

#09. A ball bounces in front of third base at point A, crosses over third and lands in foul beyond the base.

#10. A line drive zooms over third in fair but lands in foul beyond the base.

#11. A ball hits fair at point A, spins foul, hits a pebble at point B, comes back into fair, crossing over the base and comes to rest at point C. #12. A ball rolling fair at point A, spins into foul before reaching third, but after passing the base hits a pebble at point B and goes fair settling at point C.

#13. Third baseman standing in fair, reaches into foul and touches a line drive.

#14. Fielder goes into foul for a fly, at the last second the wind carries the ball into fair where it is touched.

#15. Fly ball hits the left field fair-foul pole and bounces into the stands in foul territory.