Why Are They Called the Foul Line and Foul Pole in Baseball If the Ball Is Fair When It Hits Them?
In baseball, the foul line and foul pole are two important boundary lines that determine whether a batted ball is fair or foul. The foul line extends from home plate to first and third base, and the foul pole is the vertical pole at the end of the foul line.
The terms "foul line" and "foul pole" are somewhat misleading, as a ball that hits either of these lines or poles is actually considered fair. This is because the foul lines and foul poles are not actually boundaries of the playing field. Instead, they are used to determine whether a batted ball is "in play" or "out of play."
A batted ball is in play if it lands in fair territory, which is the area of the playing field between the foul lines. A batted ball is out of play if it lands in foul territory, which is the area of the playing field outside the foul lines.
So, why are they called the foul line and foul pole if when the ball hits them its considered fair? The answer is that these terms are simply historical holdovers from the early days of baseball. When the game was first being developed, the foul lines and foul poles were actually used to determine whether a batted ball was fair or foul. However, as the game evolved, the definition of a fair ball was changed, and the foul lines and foul poles became boundary lines instead.
Related Questions
- What other lines and poles are used in baseball?
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- What is the difference between a fair ball and a foul ball?
- Is it possible for a ball to be both fair and foul?
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