Foul ball facts for kids

In baseball, a foul ball is a ball that a batter hits, but it lands outside the main playing area. Imagine the baseball field: there's a special area called fair territory where the game usually happens. If the ball goes into foul territory instead, it's a foul ball.

When a batter hits a foul ball, it usually counts as a strike against them. However, if it's already their second strike, hitting a foul ball won't make them strike out. Also, the team hitting the ball usually can't score any points from a foul ball, unless it's caught in the air for an out.

What is Foul Territory?

Foul territory is any part of the field that is not considered fair territory. Think of it as the areas outside the lines that connect the bases.

• If a ball is hit and lands outside the lines, it's a foul ball.
• If a ball is touched by a player, umpire, or object while it's over foul territory, it's a foul ball.
• If a ball goes beyond the bases closest to home plate without first touching fair territory, it's a foul ball.

Foul Balls in Other Sports

Many other bat-and-ball games have rules similar to a foul ball. For example, in some types of street cricket, players are penalized if they hit the ball behind them. This means that in these games, the hitting area is much wider than in baseball.

Images for kids

• 

  Nook Logan, of the Erie SeaWolves, hitting a foul ball during a game against the Reading Phillies on July 2, 2006.

• 

  Umpire Bill Miller gives the hand signal for a foul ball.

See also

In Spanish: Foul para niños