Yesterday in a game a batter hit a bloop fly ball over the first baseman’s head. The fielder ran back to catch the ball. The fielder made contact with the ball with his glove while the ball was in foul territory. However while attempting to make the catch he knocked the ball up in the air with his glove and the ball landed in in fair territory for the balls first contact with the ground.
I looked at rules 1.22 and 1.24 and am still confused. Please help
FOUL BALL - See Rulebook §1.28 C. or §1.28 D. on page 5 ... The critical/sole determining factor is where is the ball in relation to the vertical plane of the foul line AT FIRST CONTACT? ... If it is over foul territory, it's a FOUL ball ... If it's over FAIR territory, it's a fair ball ...
I just reviewed that rule and not sure either,doesn't seem to state clearly imo. I've always considered status of fair/foul ball to be determined by where fielder feet are positioned when making first contact with the battered ball. Fielder standing fair,reaches over for ball landing foul and makes contact,ball is fair and live. Fielder standing foul,reaches back over for ball landing fair and makes contact,ball is fair and live. Fielder standing foul to play ball dropping foul,doesn't matter where ball is deflected to. Fielder standing fair to play ball dropping fair,doesn't matter where ball is deflected to. Let's see what feedback we receive from our fellow players,before the "lawyers" have their say..lol. george
Hey Dave D..just saw your good concise answer to our fellow player. Now I know why I'll never be an umpire,gametime would expire before I'd figure it out. Tku geo
Thank you for answering. My 1.24 was a typo.
Yeah, the rules often are not 100% clear....but in my opinion, I agreed with what 9 ball had said regarding to fielder's feet
Rick35 ... Here's the rule that makes this a very easy and 100% clear concept ... It's surprising so many people misunderstand and get it wrong ... At FIRST TOUCH, if ball is over FAIR territory = FAIR ball, if ball is over FOUL territory = FOUL ball ... It's on page 5 of the new 2026-27 Rulebook ...
__________
§1.28 • FOUL BALL
A foul ball is a legally batted ball that:
A. ....
B. ....
C. While over foul territory, touches the person, attached equipment or clothing
of a player or an umpire, or is blocked.
D. First hits the ground or is first touched over foul territory beyond first or third
base....
9 ball, unfortunately many players and a few umpires believe that. It is always based on the ball and never the fielder. That is the trajectory of the ball. Read what Dave posted which very clear as the rule.
Foul ball!
In your scenario it’s where the ball was on the first touch.
I thought that's what I typed (twice) ...
