Fair Ball

In baseball, a fair ball is a batted ball that entitles the batter to attempt to reach first base. In order for a batted ball to be fair, it must be hit in such a way that it:

  • settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base; or
  • is on or over fair territory when bounding past first or third base; or
  • touches first, second, or third base (which by rule are in fair territory); or
  • touches the person of an umpire or player while the ball is on or over fair territory (unless it touches the batter in the batter's box, or bounces off the ground and immediately hits the bat); or
  • passes out of the playing field in flight while over fair territory, or touches any part of the foul pole, including any attached screen, while in flight; or
  • strikes any object for which the specific ballpark's ground rules specify that a batted ball striking that object is a fair ball (e.g., a roof if present)

Fair territory or fair ground is defined as the area of the playing field between the two foul lines, and includes the foul lines themselves and the foul poles.

On a fair ball, the batter attempts to reach first base or any subsequent base, runners attempt to advance and fielders try to record outs. A fair ball is considered a live ball until the ball becomes dead by leaving the field or any other method.

By contrast, a foul ball is a batted ball that does not entitle the batter to attempt to reach first base.

Famous quotes containing the words fair and/or ball:

    This fair homestead has fallen to us, and how little have we done to improve it, how little have we cleared and hedged and ditched! We are too inclined to go hence to a “better land,” without lifting a finger, as our farmers are moving to the Ohio soil; but would it not be more heroic and faithful to till and redeem this New England soil of the world?
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Don’t tell me what delusion he entertains regarding God, or what mountebank he follows in politics, or what he springs from, or what he submits to from his wife. Simply tell me how he makes his living. It is the safest and surest of all known tests. A man who gets his board and lodging on this ball in an ignominious way is inevitably an ignominious man.
    —H.L. (Henry Lewis)