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We had a recent conversation among a few umpires about the mechanics and responsibilities of calling a fair or foul ball by the plate and base umpire. The situation discussed was that in a two-man system, and no one on base, a ball is batted up the first base line. The question(s) are: 1) Using NFHS mechanics, does the plate umpire have the call on the ball's status anywhere before the bag and the base umpire takes it after the bag? 2) Same question, but using NCAA or Pro Mechanics? We have one guy who is adamant the base umpire takes the it down the line before the bag and plate takes it down the line after the bag. This seems to be opposite of what most of us think and pre-game. I did note there does seem to be one instance in which the plate umpire would take it past the bag, when the base umpire in A, has to move to avoid being hit by the ball and is no longer in the best calling position on the ball. Please chime in with suggestions on the approved mechanics by the level.

Hi everyone, I have a question regarding the MLB official rules regarding fair balls, specifically the meaning of a ball that first fall in fair territory "on or beyond first base or third base." Here is the definition: A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight. This definition is pretty clear for a ball hit down the line, but what if a fly ball gets hit, and lands behind the pitchers mound in the infield grass, but hits a water spigot (or rock or something in the field). As a result of the object it hits, it bounces in front of third base and rolls to a stop in foul territory, without being touched by anyone prior to it settling. Is this a fair ball or foul ball? I have read in other forums that in some rule books it talks about an "imaginary line" drawn from first base to third base. Are we to assume that MLB means the same thing when it says "beyond first base or third base?" If that is the case, is the imaginary line drawn between the front edge of the bag: <>____________<> , or from the middle of the bag: <>-------------------<>, or from the back? Or alternatively does "beyond first base or third base" mean "beyond an arc in the infield that is 90 feet from home plate".... or even "beyond the line drawn from third to second to first." I know the chances of this happening are less than winning the lottery but I am really curious and would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks, Nick