FAIR AND FOUL BALLS
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Definition of Terms: A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.
A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time he touches the ball.
A batted ball hitting home plate is NOT an automatic foul ball. Home plate is in fair territory.
A FOUL BALL is a batted ball that settles on foul territory between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond first or third base, or that, while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground.
A foul fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the infielder is on foul or fair territory at the time he touches the ball.
(Foul Ball) Comment: A batted ball not touched by a fielder, which hits the pitcher’s rubber and rebounds into foul territory, between home and first, or between home and third base is a foul ball.
If a fly ball lands in the infield between home and first base, or home and third base, and then bounces to foul territory without touching a player or umpire and before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball; or if the ball settles on foul territory or is touched by a player on foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a fly ball lands on or beyond first or third base and then bounces to foul territory, it is a fair hit.
1. The location of a fielder or runner's body is NOT important. The baseball's location is the only determining factor.
2. The base lines are part of FAIR territory.
3. If a batted ball hits first, second, or third base, it is a fair ball. If the fielder catches a line drive that bounces off of a base first, it is NOT an out.
4. A ground ball that passes over any part of first or third base is a fair ball. A ground ball that is in fair territory when passing first or third base is a fair ball.
5. If a ground ball comes to a stop in foul territory before reaching first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a batted ball initially hits the ground in foul territory and bounces into fair territory where it is touched by a fielder or runner before passing first or third base, it is a fair ball. The runner would be out for interference if the ball touches him in fair territory, intentional or not.
6. Any fly ball that makes contact with a runner or fielder in foul territory is a foul ball. The runner would be out in this instance only if the contact is deemed intentional.
7. A fly ball that is touched by a fielder in fair territory or lands in fair territory beyond first and third base is a fair ball. A fly ball that lands or is touched in foul territory beyond first and third base is a foul ball.
8. A fly ball that passes over a fence in fair territory is a home run. A fly ball that makes contact with the foul pole above the outfield fence is a home run.
Here is a case of a ball initially landing in foul territory that, in the judgment of the umpire, was in fair territory above home plate when the catcher made a play on the ball. It’s impossible to definitively make a call using the angles in this video.
An apparent foul ball that the catcher allows to roll fair before grabbing it and getting an easy out. Note the catcher keeping an eye on the batter-runner while the ball trickles down the line. If the batter-runner took off for first, the catcher would have attempted to grab this in foul territory.
There's nothing in the rule book that says a player can't blow on the baseball. But common sense is a pillar of baseball rules, and the ball is called fair.
A freebie for the defense.
A compilation of foul balls spinning fair.
TIPS FOR UMPIRES
The plate umpire has fair/foul responsibility up to the front of the 1st and 3rd base bags. If no umpire is positioned in the A or D position, the plate umpire has fair/foul responsibility past the bag, as well. When positioned in the A and D positions, base umpires are responsible for fair/foul from the front of the bag and beyond.
EXAMPLE: A bounding ball goes up the first-base line and goes foul just before passing first base. The plate umpire has the responsibility of making this call. The base umpire should echo the plate umpire after the foul call is made, not before.
Never verbalize a "Fair ball!" call. When making a fair-ball call, simply point or signal into fair territory with the appropriate hand. Yelling "Fair ball!" will only serve to cause confusion. In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult for players to know if you yelled "Fair" or "foul."
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