Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 2/19/2009

Question
If a line drive hit touches a base on a fly and then bounces in the air and caught by an infielder is this an out?Is the base considered part of the ground?What rule applies to these questions.I can't find a definite answer!

Answer
Michael,

This is a fair ball, but it is not an out.  Here's the rule (section 2.0 of the rulebook) I'd use to interpret that the bases are part of the ground:

A FAIR BALL 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.

The key part is that the ball becomes fair as soon as it touches the base.  If the base wasn't part of the ground, then the ball would be fair based on where it hit after touching the base.  Since the act of touching the base makes the ball fair, then the base is part of fair territory and is part of the ground.

Hope this helps!

Brian