Which statement best defines a live ball?

• A. A ball that is out of play.
• B. A ball in play, when actions such as batting, pitching, and fielding may legally occur.
• C. A ball that ends the game.
• D. A ball that is only live during the bottom of the inning.

Answer: (B)

Live ball means the ball is in play and players may legally bat, pitch, field, and run. It starts when the ball is put into play (pitched or batted) and continues until a rule or umpire signals that the ball is dead or the ball goes out of play. This is why the statement describing a ball in play during batting, pitching, and fielding is the correct definition. The other options describe situations when play is stopped or not in effect — for example, a ball out of play is dead, the game ending is not the definition of a live ball, and being live only during the bottom of an inning is incorrect because a live ball can occur in any inning.