Fair or Foul line drive off pitchers plate

[MRG9999]

What is the call in this situation:

1.  A line drive hits the pitchers plate and rebounds back to the catcher standing in foul territory ?  I say it is a foul ball.  If runners on bases, they return to their bases at time of pitch.

 

2.  Same line drive but the catcher is in fair territory ?  I say it is a fair ball and the out needs to be recorded at first or some other base if possible.

 

 

[Jimurray]

What is the call in this situation:

1.  A line drive hits the pitchers plate and rebounds back to the catcher standing in foul territory ?  I say it is a foul ball.  If runners on bases, they return to their bases at time of pitch.

 

2.  Same line drive but the catcher is in fair territory ?  I say it is a fair ball and the out needs to be recorded at first or some other base if possible.

You are correct.

[afaber12]

Hitting the pitcher's rubber doesn't make the ball automatically fair or foul. And though where F2 is standing makes it more likely to be fair or foul, it doesn't decide it.

Bouncing off the rubber - and not otherwise touched - where the ball is when F2 (or any other fielder) touches it determines fair/foul.

[Senor Azul]

The comment following the definition of a FOUL BALL in rule 2.00 states:

 

A batted ball not touched by a fielder, which hits the pitcher's rubber and rebounds into foul territory, between home and first, or between home and third base is a foul ball.

[MadMax]

On point 1, as @Jimurray, @afaber12, and @Senor Azul all said, it is a foul ball.

 

On point 2, the catcher, by being in fair territory and touching the ball, has prevented the ball from crossing the line(s) untouched into foul territory. Thus, the ball is fair. Play on.

[gnhbua93]

Question answered, lock the thread.

[Thunderheads]

Question answered, lock the thread.

oops ....

 

gnhbua93 has spoken .........I better lock it!!!!!

[MikeSafari]

On point 2, the catcher, by being in fair territory and touching the ball, has prevented the ball from crossing the line(s) untouched into foul territory. Thus, the ball is fair. Play on.

 

Nope! He's not necessarily preventing the ball from crossing into foul territory. If he touches the ball while it is in fair territory, then sure, fair ball. But he can be standing in fair territory while the ball still crosses foul. For instance:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v36038123

[Ump29]

1 - Foul ball

 

2 - Fair ball

 

Both easy to call if you know the rules, especially 2.00

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Hitting the pitcher's rubber doesn't make the ball automatically fair or foul. And though where F2 is standing makes it more likely to be fair or foul, it doesn't decide it.

Bouncing off the rubber - and not otherwise touched - where the ball is when F2 (or any other fielder) touches it determines fair/foul.

 

Or where it comes to rest....

[acpar72]

I had this happen in the spring...Line drive off the pitcher's head into a net above dugout (dead ball territory).  Unbelievable.

[ALStripes17]

I had this happen in the spring...Line drive off the pitcher's head into a net above dugout (dead ball territory). Unbelievable.

Fair ball, 2 base award TOP, correct?

[acpar72]

That's what I ruled. I could've called a home run 4 base award - nobody would've cared. The noise the ball made off that kids head still spooks me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KenBAZ]

A few years ago I had a line drive off F1 that bounced back to F2 and was caught in the air. Kid was concussed but back on the field in a week.