Fair ball
In baseball, a fair ball is a batted ball that has not yet become a foul ball, and that...
- 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, or
- touches the person of an umpire or player while the ball is on or over fair ground, or
- 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.
It is possible for a ball moving in foul territory to become a fair ball. Batted balls can also be foul balls or foul tips.
On a fair ball, the ball is alive; runners attempt to advance and fielders try to record outs. A batted ball is presumed to be fair until it is ruled a foul ball or a foul tip.