Fair Ball

What does Fair Ball Mean?

This refers to a batted ball that lands or heads into the fair territory on the field, thus allowing the batter as well as any other existing runner on base to try to get on base or on another base before being tagged out by the fielders. Fair territory is the playing field between the two foul lines, including the lines themselves and the foul line poles.

Sporting Charts explains Fair Ball

For a ball to be ruled fair, which allows the batter to try to get on base, the ball must meet one of a set of conditions.

The Official MLB Rule on Fair Balls (Rule 2.00):

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