Another one: fair or foul?

[keydetpiper]

I went to a D1 college game last night and spent as much time watching the umpires as I did the game. You can always learn something by observing those better than you.

Anyway, the batter hit a sharp ground ball with a lot of sidespin that went right down the first base line. The ball bounced a few times; the last time it hit the ground was in foul territory, though not by much, then it kicked left and passed directly over first base. It was ruled a foul ball. The umpire was in A, right behind the base, so he had a good look at it, and I was in the stands just about even with the line, so I had a good look at it too.

Based on my readings of the rule it should have been fair, since the base is in fair territory, and it's the ball's position as it goes bounding past the base that determines fair or foul. Am I missing something?

[catsbackr]

I would say, as happens when most coaches come out to argue a call, that the base umpire had a much better look at it from his position than you did from your position.

[Mr Umpire]

I went to a D1 college game last night and spent as much time watching the umpires as I did the game. You can always learn something by observing those better than you.

Anyway, the batter hit a sharp ground ball with a lot of sidespin that went right down the first base line. The ball bounced a few times; the last time it hit the ground was in foul territory, though not by much, then it kicked left and passed directly over first base. It was ruled a foul ball. The umpire was in A, right behind the base, so he had a good look at it, and I was in the stands just about even with the line, so I had a good look at it too.

Based on my readings of the rule it should have been fair, since the base is in fair territory, and it's the ball's position as it goes bounding past the base that determines fair or foul. Am I missing something?

While the BU's call is judgment and he called what he saw, you have the rule correct. If, after touching the ground and not touching any foreign object such as a player or fence, any part of the ball goes over any part of the base, it is a fair ball.

In fact, I had one last night at 3B. It was fair before the base where it touched the ground. Then, went over the outer third of the base and landed in foul territory by only a couple of inches. I pointed fair immediately.

[Guest]

One of the toughest to make. Trying to correctly analyze when the ball passes over the base or crosses millimetres in front or behind it, while thinking "oh crap, get out of the damn way!"

I'd have to go with the depth perception of U1 over your position, even though you're right on the line as well.

If a coach does come out over this, its usually something like "nice dance, how sure are you that you saw that 100% right while trying to get out of the way?"

They know, from their position, they don't really have a leg to stand on.

[mjr_2013]

Here is one I'm pretty sure I got correct, but want to be sure...

Runner on 3rd. Chopper is hit down the 3rd baseline. As the runner is coming home from 3rd the ball hits him in the foot in foul territory. I called foul ball. Is this correct?

[JaxRolo]

Did the ball have a chance of going fair?

[mstaylor]

Did the ball have a chance of going fair?

In this sitch I don't think that is a consideration. I think the "possibly going fair" requires intent.

[Rich Ives]

Did the ball have a chance of going fair?

Doesn't matter unless it's intentional.

[mjr_2013]

Yes... The ball was chopping and hit fair before hitting his foot in foul territory, but there was no intent to let the ball go fair.

[JaxRolo]

Did the ball have a chance of going fair?

In this sitch I don't think that is a consideration. I think the "possibly going fair" requires intent.

Good point. Thanks

[noumpere]

Here is one I'm pretty sure I got correct, but want to be sure...

Runner on 3rd. Chopper is hit down the 3rd baseline. As the runner is coming home from 3rd the ball hits him in the foot in foul territory. I called foul ball. Is this correct?

The ball first hit something in foul territory so its a foul ball. Should be no question here unless Im missreading it.

[Rich Ives]

Here is one I'm pretty sure I got correct, but want to be sure...

Runner on 3rd. Chopper is hit down the 3rd baseline. As the runner is coming home from 3rd the ball hits him in the foot in foul territory. I called foul ball. Is this correct?

The ball first hit something in foul territory so its a foul ball. Should be no question here unless Im missreading it.

Read 7.09(b ) and you'll know why there might be a question.

[Vegas]

Here is one I'm pretty sure I got correct, but want to be sure...

Runner on 3rd. Chopper is hit down the 3rd baseline. As the runner is coming home from 3rd the ball hits him in the foot in foul territory. I called foul ball. Is this correct?

The ball first hit something in foul territory so its a foul ball. Should be no question here unless Im missreading it.

Read 7.09(b ) and you'll know why there might be a question.

Rich, if he's making an attempt to dodge the ball and not interfere with the play and the ball hits him in foul territory, is it dead ball foul then (if I'm thinking correctly)?

Does the attempt to get out of the way end the enforcement of 7.09? Or does it not matter if you judge F5 has no shot at fielding it?

[Rich Ives]

Here is one I'm pretty sure I got correct, but want to be sure...

Runner on 3rd. Chopper is hit down the 3rd baseline. As the runner is coming home from 3rd the ball hits him in the foot in foul territory. I called foul ball. Is this correct?

The ball first hit something in foul territory so its a foul ball. Should be no question here unless Im missreading it.

Read 7.09(b ) and you'll know why there might be a question.

Rich, if he's making an attempt to dodge the ball and not interfere with the play and the ball hits him in foul territory, is it dead ball foul then (if I'm thinking correctly)?

Does the attempt to get out of the way end the enforcement of 7.09? Or does it not matter if you judge F5 has no shot at fielding it?

Did you miss "intentionally" in the rule?

[noumpere]

Read 7.09(b ) and you'll know why there might be a question.

If thats the issue then the poster needs to do a better job of describing the play because theres no way I get intentional from his wording the ball hits him in the foot in foul territory especially since he said he thinks he got it right.