foul or fair ball

gweedoe4real420 · #1 (**permalink**) Fri Jun 28, 2002, 01:26pm

3rd baseman is standing on the 3rd base line his left leg is in fair grounds his right leg is foul grounds the ball hits his right leg dirrecting it back into fair grounds. Is that a fair or foul ball?

Umpire_Jeremy · #2 (**permalink**) Fri Jun 28, 2002, 01:30pm

Foul. It hit his right leg which was in foul territory.

brumey1107 · #3 (**permalink**) Fri Jun 28, 2002, 03:07pm

It wouldn't appear to be that simple of a call based on the information provided. Questions necessary to provide an accurate answer are:

1) Is 3rd baseman in front of or behind the bag?

2)If behind the bag is this a line drive or grounder?

IMO, if 3rd baseman is in front of the bag then I agree foul ball.

If behind the bag, line-drive, foul ball.

If behind the bag, ground ball AND ball passed by or over 3rd base in fair territory then made contact with 3rd basemen then fair ball.

Rog · #4 (**permalink**) Fri Jun 28, 2002, 09:47pm

Where "exactly" was the ball in relationship to the fair/foul line when it touched F3's leg?????
That is what matters!!!
If it was over fair territory = fair
" " foul " = foul

tdun44 · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Jun 28, 2002, 11:24pm

Rog, Why would it matter where the ball was when it hit his leg? I agree with Brumey . It depends on if the third baseman was in front of the bag or behind it.
Thanks.

Rog · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Jun 29, 2002, 07:56am

re: "It depends on if the third baseman was in front of the bag or behind it."

Absolutely!!!

But, if F5 is in front of the base then it is easier to make the decision if you just focus primarily on the ball and the line.

If the ball is over fair territory when it touches F5's leg then it is a fair ball. Since, a portion of F5's leg might be in fair territory.

A FAIR BALL / FOUL BALL
(Foul Ball included for explanatory purposes.)

is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.

A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time he touches the ball.

gweedoe4real420 · #7 (**permalink**) Sat Jun 29, 2002, 10:06am

Thanks 4 the help.the 3rd baseman was in front of the bag and the ball was a grounder that was fair bounce and hit his right leg that was in foul grounds and deflected back into fair grounds after only hitting the 3rd baseman in the right leg.

Rog · #8 (**permalink**) Sat Jun 29, 2002, 10:31am

re: "the ball was a grounder that was fair bounce and hit his right leg that was in foul grounds and deflected back into fair grounds after only hitting the 3rd baseman in the right leg"

This is the important part - - - even though the ball hit F6's right leg which was in foul territory, was that part of the leg that was touched by the ball in foul?
That is why it is important to watch the line, if the ball is "still over fair territory, or the line" then it is still a fair ball.
Sometimes, people see that the leg is planted in foul territory; and, ASSUME that the ball is automatically foul. When in fact, the ball touched a part of the fielders leg that was still over fair territory!!!!!
Sounds like you called it right; but, only you know for sure.....