This came up in our umpire meeting. Batter hits ball down third base line. First bounce is in fair territory. Third baseman is between third and home. Before the ball touches the ground in foul territory, he reaches across the foul line and fields the ball in foul territory. What's the call, fair or foul?
if the ball never reached 3B and the ball was 1st touched over foul territory the I have a foul ball...
Remember it's where the ball is not the player or his/her glove.
Calls like this are called incorrectly a lot. It is a foul ball always where the ball is located at touch never where the player is.
Totally depends on who the umpire is whether it's fair or foul, the real meaning of the rule doesn't matter. Like many rules it's what the umpire says it is, most of us players know the rules more than the umpires just ask us! A few good umpires and a lot of them that just collect payment for umpiring the whole game themseleves from one position behind the plate with their cement boots on! "It is where the ball is when it's touched and has nothing to do with where your body parts are!
The fact that they're discussing such a simple rule in an umpire meeting says it all! If someone fields a ball and throws it to the first baseman before the runner gets there is he out or safe? Does it depend on what color shirt was he wearing? Come on Man!
I’ve got the solution for it all.. You guys call out the umpires and their motives or lack of motivation.. Why not become part of the solution and join the dark side.. We are always looking for good, qualified and willing people to umpire… Or better yet, save a bunch of money and self umpire your games.. I’m part of several league who do this… I have no problem giving up my clicker, weekends, and attitude to watch you guys self umpire a tournament…
