Jump to content

Fair ball: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
SchuminWeb (talk | contribs)
m rm unnecessary bolding
Reverting edit(s) by Lolboy2929 (talk) to rev. 1113535789 by Consciouslee: non-constructive (RW 16.1)
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{refimprove|date=March 2010}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2010}}
In [[baseball]], a '''fair ball''' is a [[batted ball]] that entitles the [[batter (baseball)|batter]] to attempt to reach [[first base]]. By contrast, a [[foul ball]] is a batted ball that does not entitle the batter to attempt to reach first base. Whether a batted ball is fair or foul is determined by the location of the ball at the appropriate reference point, as follows:
In [[baseball]], a '''fair ball''' is a batted ball that has not yet become a [[foul ball]], and that<ref>{{cite | publisher=Major League Baseball | url =http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/02_definition_of_terms.pdf | accessdate = 2009-06-13}}</ref>...


* if the ball leaves the playing field without touching anything, the point where the ball leaves the field;
* 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
* otherwise, if the ball first lands past first or [[third base]] without touching anything, the point where the ball lands;
* otherwise, if the ball rolls or bounces past first or third base without touching anything other than the ground, the point where the ball passes the base;
* touches first, second, or third base (which by rule are in fair territory); or
* otherwise, if the ball touches anything other than the ground (such as an umpire, a player, or any equipment left on the field) before any of the above happens, the point of such touching;
* touches the person of an umpire or player while the ball is on or over fair ground (but a batted ball touching the batter in the batter's box, or bouncing off the ground and immediately hitting the bat is foul even if the contact is over fair territory); or
* otherwise, (the ball comes to a rest before reaching first or third base), the point where the ball comes to a rest.
* passes out of the playing field [[in flight]] while over fair ground; or
* touches any part of the foul pole, including an attached screen, while in flight.


If any part of the ball is on or above fair territory at the appropriate reference point, it is fair; otherwise, it is foul. '''Fair territory''' or '''fair ground''' is defined as the area of the [[Baseball field|playing field]] between the two foul lines, and includes the [[List of baseball jargon (F)#foul lines|foul lines]] themselves and the [[foul pole]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf|title=Official Baseball Rules|last=Office of the Commissioner of Baseball|publisher=Major League Baseball|year=2018|isbn=9780996114066|edition=2018|chapter=Definitions of Terms}}</ref> However, certain exceptions exist:
It is possible for a ball moving in foul territory to become a fair ball. Batted balls can also be [[foul ball]]s or [[foul tip]]s.


* A ball that touches first, second, or third base is always fair.
'''Fair territory''' or '''fair ground''' is defined as the area of the [[baseball field|playing field]] between the two foul lines, and includes the [[List of baseball jargon (F)#foul lines|foul lines]] themselves and the [[foul pole]]s.
* Under Rule 5.09(a)(7)-(8), if a batted ball touches the batter or his bat while the batter is in the batter's box and not intentionally interfering with the course of the ball, the ball is foul.
* A ball that hits the foul pole without first having touched anything else off the bat is fair.
* [[Ground rules]] may provide whether a ball hitting specific objects (e.g. roof, overhead speaker) is fair or foul.


A fair ball that is obviously fair is not signaled by the umpires; however, a fair ball that is ruled fair close to the foul lines is signaled by the umpire extending or pointing with his right arm towards fair territory (unless a home run, in which case the home run signal is given). On a fair ball, the [[batter (baseball)|batter]] attempts to reach first base or any subsequent base, [[baserunning|runners]] attempt to advance and [[fielder (baseball)|fielders]] try to record [[putout|outs]]. A fair ball is considered a [[live ball (baseball)|live ball]] until the ball becomes [[dead ball (baseball)|dead]] by leaving the field or any other method.
On a fair ball, the batter attempts to reach first base or any subsequent base, [[baserunning|runners]] attempt to advance and [[fielder (baseball)|fielders]] try to record [[putout|outs]]. A fair ball is considered a [[live ball (baseball)|live ball]] until the ball becomes [[dead ball (baseball)|dead]] by leaving the field or any other method.

==Rules in covered facilities==
In [[retractable roof|retractable]] or fixed roof baseball facilities, a batted ball is a fair ball if it:
* strikes the roof, roof support structure, or objects suspended from the roof (e.g., speakers) in fair territory and lands in fair territory, or
* becomes lodged in any of those objects in fair territory and does not fall back to the playing field.
A ball striking or becoming lodged in the roof or suspended object in fair territory beyond the outfield fence is a [[home run]], regardless of where it may land.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fair Ball}}
{{baseball-stub}}
[[Category:Baseball rules]]
[[Category:Baseball rules]]



[[ja:フェアボール]]
{{baseball-stub}}
[[pt:Bola válida]]

Latest revision as of 10:12, 14 June 2023

In baseball, a fair ball is a batted ball that entitles the batter to attempt to reach first base. By contrast, a foul ball is a batted ball that does not entitle the batter to attempt to reach first base. Whether a batted ball is fair or foul is determined by the location of the ball at the appropriate reference point, as follows:

  • if the ball leaves the playing field without touching anything, the point where the ball leaves the field;
  • otherwise, if the ball first lands past first or third base without touching anything, the point where the ball lands;
  • otherwise, if the ball rolls or bounces past first or third base without touching anything other than the ground, the point where the ball passes the base;
  • otherwise, if the ball touches anything other than the ground (such as an umpire, a player, or any equipment left on the field) before any of the above happens, the point of such touching;
  • otherwise, (the ball comes to a rest before reaching first or third base), the point where the ball comes to a rest.

If any part of the ball is on or above fair territory at the appropriate reference point, it is fair; otherwise, it is foul. 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.[1] However, certain exceptions exist:

  • A ball that touches first, second, or third base is always fair.
  • Under Rule 5.09(a)(7)-(8), if a batted ball touches the batter or his bat while the batter is in the batter's box and not intentionally interfering with the course of the ball, the ball is foul.
  • A ball that hits the foul pole without first having touched anything else off the bat is fair.
  • Ground rules may provide whether a ball hitting specific objects (e.g. roof, overhead speaker) is fair or foul.

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.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Office of the Commissioner of Baseball (2018). "Definitions of Terms". Official Baseball Rules (PDF) (2018 ed.). Major League Baseball. ISBN 9780996114066.