If it hits the ground, it is considered a foul ball, and runners are unable to advance. Even if the hitter does not reach base and the runners are unable to advance, an error can be charged on a catchable ball hit in foul zone that is dropped; the sheer fact that the at bat was overly prolonged is enough to earn the mistake. On average, only one out of every 20 foul balls hits results in an error.
The distance a ball will travel before hitting the ground depends on many factors such as the make and model of the ball, how old it is, where it lands, etc. However, assuming that it is fair game, any part of the field is possible territory for a foul ball. An outfielder has the right to pursue any ball that he can legally tag. If, while doing so, he catches another ball, he can keep it provided that it isn't his original target. If it is found to be damaged in any way, or if it is determined to be thrown at him with ill intent, then it would be disqualified.
Fair ball/strike conventions apply to foul balls just like they do for regular balls. A batter cannot walk when there are no balls present and cannot step out of the box until after the pitcher has taken his full wind-up motion. Thus, if a foul ball is caught, the batter can either take first base (if he is ahead) or return to the plate (if he is not).
Even if the hitter does not reach base and the runners are unable to advance, an error can be charged on a catchable ball hit in foul zone that is dropped; the sheer fact that the at bat was overly prolonged is enough to earn the mistake.
Terrible area. A fly ball hit in foul area enters play and can be caught for an out; baserunners can advance as they would with any other fly ball out. If it hits the ground, it is considered a foul ball, and runners are unable to advance. A ground ball hit in foul area is a foul ball that cannot be played.
Fair territory is the inverse of foul territory. A fly ball hit in foul area enters play and can be caught for an out; baserunners can advance as they would with any other fly ball out. If it hits the ground, it is considered a foul ball, and runners are unable to advance. A ground ball hit in foul area is a foul ball that cannot be played.
A fly ball hit in foul area enters play and can be caught for an out; baserunners can advance as they would with any other fly ball out. The umpire should call "foul" as soon as the ball comes into his or her view. A batter cannot object to a foul ball being called during his or her turn at bat.
Generally, a player may not interfere with a fielder while he is making a catch. However, if a player believes that an illegal contact has been made by the fielder, he can protest the call by walking around any part of the boundary line until the end of the inning. At this point, the umpire will tell the players to return to their positions before resuming play. If the player continues to protest, he will be ejected from the game by the umpires. This rule exists to allow safe catches while still maintaining the action of the game. Therefore, a player should never try to run down a foul ball unless he is sure that it is fair territory.
The batter can also protest a foul ball call by walking off the field immediately after the ball is caught. However, since this takes away his opportunity to continue batting, such protests are only done in very unusual circumstances.
A ground ball that passes between the legs of a fielder without being touched is an error since it should be an out. A hard-hit ground ball that is not retrieved cleanly by an infielder — even if it takes a difficult hop — should be counted as an error.
The third baseman made a mistake. It's a hit if the batter smashes a ball between the shortstop and third baseman, the shortstop scoops it up, and the batter beats the throw to first base. Some plays, though, might be more tough.
It is a foul ball if a proclaimed infield fly is allowed to fall undisturbed to the ground and bounces foul before crossing first or third base. Runners may advance at their own risk when an infield fly rule is called. If more than one player is close enough to the ball to have a chance of catching it, they all get credit for the out.
An infielder can also signal for an infield fly by waving either his arm or leg. The umpire should only call an infield fly if he believes that the ball could have been caught without excessive risk of injury to any player. For example, if there are two runners on base and the batter hits a deep drive into the outfield that would require a long sprint to catch, then no one gets out. On the other hand, if the ball is hit into shallow right field and a runner takes off for home, then anyone who catches the ball can turn around and return it to the infield without being charged with an error.
In addition to signaling for an infield fly, an infielder can also signal for an automatic double play by pointing to the center-field flagpole. If the flag is down, then the double play is executed; if the flag is up, then the ball is assumed to be fair game again. This sign must be given before the ball is touched by another player. It is not sufficient to indicate this after the fact.
Terrible area. A ground ball hit in foul area is a foul ball that cannot be played. The ump must call for a new ball.
The distance a ball travels when it's hit by a batter will vary depending on many factors such as the speed of the bat, the angle at which the ball is hit, etc. However, there are limits to how far a ball can travel in fair territory. First of all, the ball cannot go farther than the length of the field or past first base if it is hit toward left field. It can be caught by any fielder, even if he isn't covering any particular area of the field (for example, if he's standing in right field but the ball ends up in left field).
However, if the ball goes beyond second base, it is considered out of bounds. A runner may not enter any part of the outfield while the ball is in flight. If he does, the ball is dead and no further action is needed from the batsman or fielders. If the ball goes over third base, it is considered a home run.
Fair territory includes the areas of the field outside of the dugouts, behind the backstop, and along the foul lines.
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