Baseball Instruction/fair/foul ball

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Expert: Coach Perl - 4/15/2007


Question
a ball is hit on the groundin fair territory toward first or third, goes over the bag but hits in foul territory.  Fair or foul?  A ball is hit on a line drive, goes over the first or third base bag and hits in foul territory.  Fair or foul?

Answer
Scott -

Thanks for the question. Ok, I see 2 scenerios here, so I will just take them one by one.

First scenerio is a ball is hit, touches in fair territory before getting to the base, and goes directly over the top of the bag and lands its second bounce in foul territory.  This is a fair ball.  

Now, if a ball is hit in the air, goes past the bag or over the bag in fair territory, but lands for the first time in foul, that is a foul ball. This is commonly seen on would be home runs.  The ball starts off towards the fence in fair territory, but slices as it gets deeper.  By the time it gets all the way out, it has faded into the stands in foul territory.  Even though the ball was in fair territory when passing the base, it is a foul ball.

I hope this helped you out.  Let me know if I can help you for anything else.

Best wishes

Coach Perl

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Coach Perl

Expertise

If you have a question about playing baseball, fast-pitch softball, or slow-pitch softball, fire away! After playing baseball in the SEC for 2 years, I opened a baseball training academy outside of Cleveland, Ohio, where I train potential prospects for the game at its higher levels. Proper techniques for hitters, pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders is available to anyone right here, right now! Baseball is a unique sport because success is not solely dependent on your size, speed, or strength.

Experience

Played high school and college baseball up through 1996; High school Athletic Hall of Fame inductee (2005) - Football and baseball; Owner and head trainer - Pro-Start Baseball Academy - Cleveland, Ohio; Have coached at the high school and 18 + over travel levels.

Publications
"Sports Officiating Handbook" - Lawyers Register Publishing (1996-97)

Education/Credentials
Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management; Minor in Business; Certified conditioning trainer (ACE)

Awards and Honors
High school Athletic Hall of Fame inductee (2005)

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