Foul balls rules used to be more complicated. Years ago, the fields did not have white lines, so it was to the discretion of the umpires to make the call. Today, imagine that a batter is standing at home plate awaiting a pitch. From the batter's vision, there is a whole field of grass that the ball can travel through and stay in play. The lines make the difference. After lines were implemented, there were no posts in the outfield. Again, this was up the umpire's discretion. Today we have advancements that almost cover everything.
Landing Counts for Everything
Two white lines travel straight from home plate, all the way back to the home run wall. One line travels straight through first base and the other through third base. The rule here is simple. If the ball first lands on the outside of this line, away from where the fielders are positioned, the ball is foul. It does not matter if the ball is in the infield or the outfield. These lines divide the field from fair and foul.
Bounces
A bounce can make or break a play. The make-or-break moment depends on the batter. If the ball hits inside the white lines but does not travel past first or third base, and bounces outside the lines, it is considered a foul ball. The ball cannot bounce outside the lines until it travels past the bases. If the ball travels past the bases, then bounces outside the lines, it is a fair ball, and runners are free to run, including the batter. The tricky bounces are on line drives. If the ball travels quickly down the line, and bounces directly over a base or touches the base, it is a fair ball. The ball must bounce in foul territory before it gets to the base to be considered foul.
No Touching
When the ball lands fair in the infield then bounces foul, it is only foul if no player touches the ball. If a fielder touches or interferes with a live ball and forces it to bounce foul, the ball is considered fair and the batter is free to run the bases. If the ball hits anything in foul territory, it is counted foul immediately. This means no player can catch the ball off the fence or dugout and get the batter out.
Foul Posts Can Be Tricky
At the end of both white lines, a tall post stands in case there is any controversy of whether a hit of home-run distance is fair or foul. The umpire passes judgment; based on how the ball is hit, it can curve in or out and change the outcome of a play. The wind can force a ball fair as well as foul. If it travels directly over the post, it is a home run and the runs are awarded to the batting team.
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