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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

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

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

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+{{more citations needed|date=March 2010}}
-In [[baseball]], a '''fair ball''' is a batted ball that has not yet become a [[foul ball]], and that...
+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:
+* 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, before being touched by a fielder, or
-* is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, before being touched by a fielder, 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, before being touched by a fielder, or
-* touches the person of an umpire or player while '''the ball''' is on or over fair ground, 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;
+* 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, 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|foul balls]] or [[foul tip|foul tips]].
+* A ball that touches first, second, or third base is always fair.
-On a fair ball, the ball is alive; [[Baseball#Running the bases|runners]] attempt to advance and [[fielder (baseball)|fielders]] try to record [[putout|outs]].  A batted ball is presumed to be fair until it is ruled a foul ball or a foul tip.
+* 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, [[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.
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Fair Ball}}
 [[Category:Baseball rules]]
-[[ja:フェアボール]]
+{{baseball-stub}}