What is a Foul Ball in Baseball?
A foul ball in baseball is any ball that is hit into fair territory but:
- Lands foul, meaning it lands outside the foul lines that extend from home plate to first and third base.
- Is caught in the air by a defensive player before it lands anywhere in fair territory.
- Is touched by a defensive player while it's in foul territory.
- Is tipped by a batter or the batter's bat after it has been pitched.
Foul balls do not count as strikes against the batter, but they do reset the strike count to 0-0 if there were already two strikes against them.
What is a Ground Rule Double in Baseball?
A ground rule double in baseball is a hit that would normally be a single or a home run, but due to the unique circumstances of a particular field, the batter is awarded a double instead. This typically occurs when:
- A ball is hit over a fence that is within the playing field boundaries but is not high enough to clear the fence by regulation standards.
- A ball bounces over an outfield fence that is unusually low or has a hole in it.
- A ball lands in an area that is designated as "ground rule territory," such as a drainage ditch or the area beneath a grandstand.
Ground rule doubles are awarded at the discretion of the umpires and are only used when it is deemed that the batter would have otherwise earned a higher base award without the interference of the field conditions.
Related Questions and Answers
- What happens if a foul ball is caught on the fly? The batter is out.
- Can a foul ball be caught in fair territory? Yes, if it is caught before it bounces.
- Does a foul ball count as an out? No.
- What is the difference between a ground rule double and a home run? A home run is hit over the outfield fence without touching the ground. A ground rule double is awarded when a ball that would normally be a home run is stopped by the outfield fence or other ground rules.
- Is a ground rule double still considered a hit? Yes, it is counted as a hit and the batter is awarded two bases.
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