Working the bases in a game played under Fed rules, the batter (with no outs and no runners on base) hits a ground ball between the first baseman and pitcher. My partner behind the plate, reacting to the sound of the ball hitting the bat, quickly calls a foul ball. However, he is suprised that despite the sound, the ball was obviously fair. Yet, because he had called "FOUL" so loudly, the batter-runner instantly returned to the plate. Thus, the defense easily retires the batter-runner at first. After the inning, we both laughed off the call, and luckily the coaches weren't upset by the play. However, in discussion, my partner and I wondered if the play should stand, or if his accidental, incorrect calling of "foul" should allow the batter a fair (no pun intended) chance.
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