What is considered a foul ball?

According to the Little League Baseball® Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Policies – Rule 2.00 – foul ball: 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 ...

How do you know if a ball is fair or foul?

Any batted ball that first contacts a fielder while the ball is in fair territory is considered fair. If not touched by a fielder, any batted ball that first contacts the field in fair territory beyond first or third base -- with the foul lines and foul poles counting as fair territory -- is considered fair.

Is a ball off the plate a foul ball?

If a batted ball hits the plate first it's a foul ball.

Approved Ruling: Home plate, first, second, and third base are all completely within fair territory.

How many strikes is a foul ball?

A strike is a ball that passes through any part of the strike zone in flight. A foul ball is also counted as a strike when a hitter has less than two strikes. When a batter accumulates three strikes, he is out. If the batter bunts a foul ball with two strikes then it is counted as a strike and the batter is out.

When can a foul ball be caught for an out?

A fly ball caught in foul territory is simply a fly ball out; the ball is live and runners may advance (at their peril) after tagging up. A batter-runner who intentionally deflects a ball that is in foul territory should be called out, the ball is dead, and other runners, if any, may not advance [ 5.09(a)(9) ].

What Is a Foul? | Basketball

Is a foul ball fair if dropped?

While, if not caught, the ball may have fallen in fair territory, the only feasible way for the game to continue is if the right fielder lets it go and it's called foul. If he catches it, the game is over. If he lets it go and it's ruled fair, the game is over.

What's the difference between a foul ball and a foul tip?

So what is the main difference between a foul tip and a foul ball? It's in the catcher's hands. A foul tip is a pitch that is nicked by the hitter's bat, goes directly into the catcher's hand or glove and is caught before touching the batter, the umpire or the ground. Anything else is a foul ball.

What are the rules for foul balls in baseball?

Batted balls that first contact the field between home plate and first or third base are considered foul if they don't subsequently bounce over or directly contact either base, otherwise pass either base while in fair territory, or ultimately settle at some point in fair territory between home plate and either base.

Why can't you strike out on a foul ball?

(A foul ball counts as a strike, but it cannot be the third and final strike of the at-bat. A foul tip, which is caught by the catcher, is considered a third strike.) The batter is automatically out on a strikeout, unless the catcher does not cleanly hold onto the baseball or if the baseball hits the dirt.

Is it a strike if you swing at a ball?

A strike is anytime the hitter swings at a pitch and misses or any pitch that is in the strike zone (whether the hitter swings or not). Three strikes and the batter is out! The batter is also given a strike when they hit a foul ball and they have less than two strikes.

Can a player steal on a foul ball?

You cannot steal a base on a “dead” or foul ball.

Can a first baseman cause a balk?

If the first baseman does not have both feet in fair territory at the time of the pitch, it is a “fielder's balk”. The batter is out if he starts for the dugout before going to first after a dropped third strike.

Can a batter touch a foul ball?

The ruling for the situation you described would be, foul ball. Even if the umpire hasn't called the ball foul, if the batter-runner touches the ball in foul territory, it would be the same as a defensive player touching it. Most common occurrence is a slow roller, or bunted ball up along either baseline.

Is a ball fair if it hits the umpire?

Rule 5.09(f) Comment: If a fair ball touches an umpire working in the infield after it has bounded past, or over, the pitcher, it is a dead ball.

Is a ball in the batter's box fair?

No, the entire batters box is not in foul territory. The little small triangle is in fair territory (if I understand correctly). More precisely, fair/foul territory is defined by fair/foul line and not affected by batter's box. If the ball settles in this area, it is fair.

Why does K mean strikeout?

The scoring symbol “K” was first used in the scoring of an actual game in 1868. One reason the letter “K” was used because “K” was the prominent letter of the word strike. Another reason the letter "K" is used is that it is made with 3 strokes of the pencil, symbolizing the 3 strikes for the strikeout.

Why does baseball use K for strikeout?

He had already chosen S to stand for sacrifice in a box score, so he used K for a strikeout, since that is the last letter in “struck,” which was at the time the most popular way to refer to a batter's being out after three strikes.

Is a tipped ball caught by the catcher an out?

Any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. If it is strike one, or two, runners can steal or advance, as the ball is still in play, not foul. If it is strike three, it is a strikeout. The situation in your question, with the count 3-1, if the catcher catches it, it becomes strike two.

Why do catchers touch the ground?

It is imperative for the catcher to protect the umpire by blocking every ball in the dirt. That also helps your pitcher in that he knows that he can pitch down aggressively with runners on base, knowing that you will block the ball.

Can a runner advance on a foul ball?

A fly ball hit in foul territory is in play and can be caught for an out; baserunners can advance as on any other fly ball out. If it drops to the ground, it is simply a foul ball, and runners cannot advance.

Can a ball go foul and come back fair?

Even if the ball goes back and forth between being fair and foul, it will not be ruled as fair and foul until it stops or a player touches it. In the outfield a ball is determined to be foul by its relationship to the line when it first touches the ground or is touched by a player.

Do you shoot free throws on loose ball fouls?

If a “loose ball” foul called against the defensive team is then followed by a successful field goal, one free throw attempt will be awarded to the offended player, allowing for the three point or four point play. This interpretation applies: Regardless of which offensive player is fouled.

Can a batter throw his bat at the ball?

If the batter unintentionally throws his bat and it interferes with the fielders, interference is called and the batter is out. If the batter throws his bat intentionally, the batter will be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Are you out if you step on home plate?

If a batter hits a pitched ball with any part of his foot or knee outside of the batter's box, including home plate, then the batter is out.

Can the catcher throw the ball at the batter?

If the catcher's throw hits the batter, then just play on. If the catcher intentionally throws the ball at the batter, you have unsportsmanlike conduct (Rule 6.04). Allow action to conclude, then call time and eject the catcher.