How is a fair ball determined?

• A. A ball that lands in fair territory at any distance.
• B. A batted ball that is caught before touching the ground.
• C. A batted ball that lands in fair territory beyond the infield.
• D. A batted ball that lands in fair territory or first touches fair territory beyond the infield.

Answer: (D)

A fair ball is defined by where the ball is in relation to the foul lines. The two foul lines mark fair territory, and a batted ball becomes fair if it either lands on the ground in fair territory or first touches fair territory beyond the infield. This covers both bouncing into fair ground anywhere on the field and a ball that is touched by a fielder in fair territory beyond the infield. If the ball is caught in the air (before it touches the ground), or if it lands in foul territory, it is not a fair ball. The best description, then, is that a fair ball lands in fair territory or first touches fair territory beyond the infield.