Softball/Fair Ball/Foul Player
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Question
Batter hits ball that bounces up just in front of the plate. The catcher, while standing in the right hand batter's box grabs the ball and throws it to first base. The umpire, calls the ball fair, and runner out at first base. Due to catcher being in foul territory, is the ball a fair ball or foul ball?
Hi Andrew,
A batted ball, fair or foul has absolutely nothing to do with where the defensive player is. It ONLY matters where the ball is.
In a case like this...
If the ball is on or over fair territory when 1st touched by a defensive player, it is a fair ball.
If the ball is on or over foul territory when 1st touched by a defensive player, it is a foul ball.
In front of the plate is fair territory so based on your description, we have a fair ball.
Mark
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Answers by Expert:
Dr. Mark R. Ambrose
Expertise
I can answer all questions about book rules and "case book" rules governing the playing of ASA softball. Have a REAL situation that happened and are not sure the proper rule was applied, ask me.
Experience
I am a registered ASA umpire, a MASA "At-Large" umpire since 1996 and a retired District Umpire-In-Chief. I have very extensive experience in MASA State Championship and ASA national qualifying tournament play both as an umpire and an Umpire-In-Chief. I completed 3 ASA National Schools including the ASA national advanced umpire school in Ok City("Bernie" for those who know him was the lead clinician, I survived the week and couldn't let my kids watch the game tapes when I got home. No, I love you Bernie). I was one of 4 "Yankee" umpires selected to umpire the Men's D National East Championship in 2002 in Winter Haven FL
Organizations
Amateur Softball Association (The authority in softball)
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