Should a ball be fair or foul if the ball was hit foul but came back to the infield before it reached first ?

Question

Shouldn't a ball automatically be foul if it hit foul territory?

Answer 1

A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.
A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time he touches the ball.

Answer 2

as long as it hits nothing but the field and not a player, it would be a fair ball. If it riccochets of the dugout or backstop, i believe it would be foul. Have NEVER seen the said riccochet occur without the ball staying foul though. Say the hitter hit some squibber, and the ball had enough crazy spin to make it back between the lines before passing the bag, it would be fair!

Answer 3

it is a fair ball because what if a batter bunts it down the first base line and it starts off foul, but before someone picks it up it hits a rock and bounces back into fair territory. this would be played as a fair ball if it didn't past first base in foul territory.

Answer 4

Once a ball hits an object in foul territory it can't be deemed a fair ball.

Answer 5

As long as it didn't touch anything or anyone in foul territory, the ball you describe would be ruled a fair ball.

Answer 6

If the ball hit foul territory it is automatically FOUL BALL!! The only way you can do anything near that is if you hit a roller and it stays in until the base. Then the ball is fair.

Answer 7

The "IFR" is designed to maintain the baserunners out of jeopardy af being trapped in a double play. If the batted ball lands in foul territory then that's a foul ball and in effortless terms a strike. there is not any thank you to coach a double play on a ball that lands in foul territory. So the umpire needless to say, the two at this degree in his occupation or another reason does not understand the "IFR" or only made a mistake.

Answer 8

It's a fair ball unless it was touched in foul territory.

Answer 9

These guys are loosing it! I don`t care if the ball is hit 10 feet foul,,,if it curves back into fair play before it reaches first,,,,it`s a fair ball. Upires don`t care what happens just as long as when it goes by first or third base it is inside the lines.

Answer 10

I'm not sure what you're asking specifically.

"A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight." (Rule 2.00)

Here are some plays and rulings:

(1) Batted ball in flight lands in foul territory beyond first or third base and then spins back, settling in fair territory in the infield. RULING: Foul ball, because the ball first touched foul territory beyond first or third base.

(2) Batted ball lands in foul territory near the fungo circle and then bounces into fair territory before reaching first base and is touched by a fielder. RULING: Fair ball.

(3) Batted ball bounds past first or third base in foul territory and then rolls into fair territory in the outfield. RULING: Foul ball.

(4) Batted ball bounds down first or third base line and is entirely over foul territory when a fielder -- standing with both feet in fair territory -- snares the ball. RULING: Foul ball. The status of the ball depends solely on where the ball was touched.

(5) Batted ball ricochets off pitcher's plate and settles in foul territory behind the plate. RULING: Foul ball, because the ball did not pass or touch first, second, or third base.

(6) Batted ball strikes backstop and ricochets to the pitcher in fair territory. RULING: Foul ball, because the ball hit the backstop in foul territory.

(7) Batted ball bounces off home plate and is grabbed by the catcher while the ball is entirely over foul territory. RULING: Foul ball, because the ball did not pass or touch first, second, or third base.

(8) Batted ball bounces off home plate and is grabbed by the catcher while partly or entirely over fair territory. RULING: Fair ball.