What is the difference between a fair ball and a foul ball?
B · Beginner · The game · 3 of 5A batted ball is fair if it settles or is touched in fair ground before first or third base, bounces past those bases over fair ground, or first lands beyond them in fair ground. The foul lines and the bases are fair. A foul ball is dead and the runners go back, unless it is caught in the air.
How it works
- Fair territory: within and including the first and third base lines, out to the fence. "Both foul lines are in fair territory."
- Before the bases: a ground ball is judged where it settles or is first touched between home and first or third.
- Past the bases: fair if it is on or over fair ground when it bounces past first or third base.
- In the air: a fly ball is judged where it first lands, on or beyond first or third.
- Touching a base: a ball that hits first or third base is fair.
- Touched by someone: judged by where the ball is when a player or umpire first touches it, not where the fielder is standing.
- Over the fence: fair if it leaves the field in flight over fair territory. The foul pole is fair.
- Off the batter: a ball that hits the batter in the batter's box is foul.
- A foul not caught: the ball is dead, runners return and it counts as a strike below two strikes.
- A foul caught: the batter is out, and the ball stays in play.
The glossary has the fair ball, the foul ball, the diamond, the base, the dead ball and the catch.
Tricky cases
A ball lands fair, then spins across the line and stops in foul ground before reaching first base. Fair or foul?
Foul. Before first or third base, the ball is judged where it settles or is touched.
A ball lands on the foul line in the outfield. Fair or foul?
Fair. The foul lines are in fair territory.
A fielder standing in foul ground reaches over and catches a fly ball above fair ground. Is it a fair ball?
Yes. It is judged by the position of the ball and the line, not the fielder.
A fly ball hits the foul pole. What is it?
A fair ball, and a home run. The foul pole is included in judging a fly by the line.
Why the rule exists
The foul lines aim the game forward, into the quarter of the ground the fielders cover. Judging a ground ball by where it ends up, not where it first lands, is the odd part: it rewards neither side until the ball has made up its mind, which is why fielders sometimes let a rolling ball go and hope.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ground ball before first or third | Judged where it settles or is touched | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.26.1; 6.34.1 |
| Ball bounding past first or third | Judged as it passes the base | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.26.2; 6.34.2 |
| Fly ball | Judged where it first lands or is touched | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.26.3; 6.26.4 |
| Ball hits the pitcher's rubber and rebounds foul | Foul | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.34.6 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Rules 6.26, 6.27, 6.34, 6.35 and 8.2.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).