Fair ball facts for kids

In baseball, a fair ball is a batted ball that gives the batter a chance to reach first base. When a batter hits the ball, it needs to land or travel in a specific area to be considered "fair." If it's a fair ball, the play continues, and the batter can try to run the bases. If it's a "foul ball," the play stops, and the batter usually gets another chance to hit.

What Makes a Ball Fair?

A batted ball is fair if it meets certain conditions. These rules help everyone know if the ball is in play or not.

Landing on Fair Ground

A ball is fair if it:

• Lands and stays on the ground between home plate and first base.
• Lands and stays on the ground between home plate and third base.
• This means the ball must stop rolling or land in the area between the foul lines near home plate.

Passing the Bases

A ball is also fair if it:

• Bounces past first base or third base while it is still in fair territory.
• This means that even if it bounces foul later, if it was fair when it passed the base, it's a fair ball.

Hitting a Base

• If the batted ball touches first base, second base, or third base, it is always a fair ball. All these bases are considered to be in fair territory.

Touching a Player or Umpire

• A ball is fair if it touches a player or an umpire while it is over fair territory.
• However, there are a couple of exceptions:

* If the ball touches the batter while they are still in the batter's box, it's usually a foul ball. * If the ball bounces off the ground and then immediately hits the bat again, it's also usually a foul ball.

Leaving the Field in Fair Territory

• If the ball flies out of the playing field while it is over fair territory, it's a fair ball. This often happens with a home run.
• If the ball hits any part of the foul pole (including any screens attached to it) while in flight, it is also a fair ball. The foul poles are considered part of fair territory.

Hitting Specific Objects in the Ballpark

• Sometimes, a ballpark has special rules. If a batted ball hits a specific object, like a roof or a wall, and the rules say that makes it a fair ball, then it is. These rules are usually posted at the stadium.