A foul ball in baseball seems like it should be an obvious and easy call for the umpire to make. A ball that is between the third base line and first base line is a fair ball. If it's outside the lines, it's foul. However, it's not always that simple. A ball may start off foul and return to fair territory. The opposite is also true. There are several circumstances that can make the call somewhat complex.
Groundball
When a groundball goes down the foul line, the umpire has to determine where the ball was when it passed first or third base. If the ball was fair when it passed those marks, the ball is fair. If it was foul when it passed those bases, the ball is foul. It doesn't matter where the ball ends up. If a ball passes the third base bag in fair territory and later rolls into foul territory, the ball is fair. If the ball hits either base, the ball is fair.
Flyball
A fair of foul flyball is determined by where the ball lands, or would land if it were not caught. A flyball may be in foul territory when sent down the right field line. However, a last-second gust of wind may force the ball into fair territory. If the ball lands in fair territory, it is fair. The groundball rules do not apply to a foul ball. If the fielder positions himself in fair territory and reaches over the line to catch the ball in foul territory, the ball is foul. It is not where the player's feet are, it's where the ball lands. However, if a ball is hit down the right field line, hits the fielder's glove in fair territory but he drops it and it lands in foul territory, the ball is fair. It would have landed in fair territory if he had not touched it.
Home Run Ball
A flyball that goes over the fence in fair territory is a home run. A flyball that hits the foul pole that marks the end of the foul line is a home run. A ball that flies past the foul pole to the outside of the pole and not in fair territory is a foul ball. However, if the ball soars past the foul pole in fair territory but then hooks foul after it has gone past the pole is still a fair ball. That type of drive is rarely hit, but such a hit would be a home run.
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