SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/base-fair-over-base

A ground ball bounces over first base, then rolls into foul territory. Fair or foul?

Fair. It passed the base in fair territory.

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  1. Fair ✔
  2. Foul
  3. A do-over

Why: A ball that lands between home and first or third is fair if it bounces over or touches the base. Where it rolls after that does not matter. If it rolls foul before the base, it is foul.

Huh, didn't know that: A ball that bounces off home plate and stops in fair territory is also fair.

The dad joke
Why did the ground ball feel good? It was treated fair and square.
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References

Answer: Fair. A ball that lands between home and first or third is fair if it bounces over or touches the base. Where it rolls after that does not matter. If it rolls foul before the base, it is foul.

  1. MLB Glossary: Fair Ball www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/fair-ball
    are considered fair if they subsequently bounce over or directly contact either base
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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