A fair ball is a batted ball which:

• A. A first falls on fair ground on or beyond first or third base.
• B. Is over fair ground when it leaves the field over a fence.
• C. While on or over fair territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, their clothing or equipment.
• D. A, B and C.

Answer: (D)

A fair ball is a batted ball that is considered fair because it remains within fair territory. It can do so in several ways: it may first settle on fair ground beyond first or third base, or it may touch fair ground after bouncing or even touch a base itself, while still in fair territory. If the ball is hit and travels into or over fair territory and then leaves the field over the fence, that results in a home run, which is still the product of a fair ball. The ball is also fair if, while in fair territory, it touches a person (umpire or player) or their clothing or equipment; the ball remains live and fair. Since all three scenarios describe ways a batted ball can be fair, they collectively describe the correct concept.