Expert: Andrew Senger - 7/4/2010

Question
Ok so if the batter hits the ball it bounces once before it goes over the third base in fair territory, then when the ball comes down in the outfield(since it was kind of like a chopper), it lands in foul territory? Is it a fair or foul ball?

Thanks
Heather

Answer
Heather,

To determine if a ground ball is fair or foul, you take the ball's position when it passes the base. It doesn't matter whether it was in foul or fair territory before crossing the base. Therefore, in your situation, since the ball bounded OVER the base, it would be a fair ball.

However, if the ball wasn't a ground ball when it passed the base, it would be determined by where it FIRST lands after crossing the base. Therefore, if your situation had been a line drive (not bouncing until after the base), it would have been foul.