Why is it called the foul pole when it is inside the field of play at many stadiums?

Question

Shouldn't it be called the fair pole? Same for the foul line. A ball hitting the foul line is considered a fair ball. Shouldn't it be called the fair line?

Answer 1

The foul pole is called that because it's simply an extension of the foul line. If you wanted to call it the fair pole, then you'd have to change the name of the line as you suggested.

My guess is that the foul line is called the foul line because anything landing outside of it would be a foul ball.

Answer 2

It is because it marks the fair part of the park, and any thing hit to the outside of the pole is foul.

Answer 3

Things that make you go hmm...

It would make more sense if any ball that hits the line or pole would be foul...or easier yet like you suggest just rename it. I don't think a lot of people are complaining about this though, so don't expect any changes.

Answer 4

When the ball is hit on the opposite side it's a foul ball. The pole is there ti indicate that. The pole itself and anything inside of the pole is fair.

The term is correctly given.

Answer 5

You say fair and I say foul, you say pertater and I say. . .really, it's a linguistic problem. It is physically easier for the English-speaking mouth to say 'foul pole' than it is 'fair pole'. Since either serves the purpose of describing the edge of the playing field, what does it matter. (It's not 'Garfunkel and Simon' for the same reason.)

Answer 6

valid question. although there have been & continually be those missed fouls that weren't seen, although this is frequently been the way of the "megastar equipment" as long as i can endure in ideas. Now it is in simple terms called the megastar/Stern equipment". it is nonetheless going to be activities & leisure at the same time, the leisure section dictating the favorable calls of direction. do no longer think of which will ever exchange. yet i've got reported it formerly, communities are gonna get the less favorable calls on occassions, some greater effective than others. even though it is as much as the greater appropriate group to conquer that & see previous that to be the greater appropriate group. Spurs in factor have been the main hated unpopular group this decade, yet they are the appropriate group this decade.

Answer 7

Because it denotes the boundary between fair and foul territory.

Answer 8

Why do you drive in a parkway and park in a driveway? Its just what its called.