Make the call with force, confidence and attitude. There will be questions by the opposing coach (whichever coach was on the wrong end of the call), but the situation will be handled in the proper way by your confidence in the call.

Sorry but they are officially listed as foul line and foul pole. It is not nor has it ever been officially listed in any manner the fair pole

 

If the ball hits either is it fair or foul?

 

Doesn't matter what it's "officially" listed as :lol2:

It's fair until you have seen it clearly foul. You think fair until clearly foul. When the ball is over the fence, if you haven't seen it foul, award the kid with the homer.

 

That makes the most sense to me...calling it foul if you don't know is a sell out and is a definite huge advantage to the pitcher.

 

If a tie goes to the runner shouldn't similar thinking prevail in this situation also?

If the ball hits either is it fair or foul?

 

Doesn't matter what it's "officially" listed as :lol2:

 

It does matter, as that is the technical term for the pole in the rules book.

That makes the most sense to me...calling it foul if you don't know is a sell out and is a definite huge advantage to the pitcher.

 

If a tie goes to the runner shouldn't similar thinking prevail in this situation also?

 

Again, no such rule as "a tie goes to the runner". The rule states the the runner must beat the ball to the base. Either the runner beats it or not. Same thing with fair/foul. Either it's fair or foul. And the ball is technically not ruled fair or foul until it is either touched by a fielder, goes past first or third base, or comes to rest before passing a base. Or in the case of an outfield fly, the judgment is made based on the balls relative position to the foul line when it lands or leaves the field of play. No such thing as "fair until ruled foul". In this case, the umpire should make the call to the best of his judgement. If he was completely unsure, he could always ask for help from his partner(s) if he isn't working alone. This is a reversible call as the result of the play is a dead ball situation, so if the umpire is unsure, it is possible for him to request help.

Edited June 1, 201511 yr by rjs4470

It does matter, as that is the technical term for the pole in the rules book.

 

We all appreciate your focus on what really matters in this thread.

 

The OP asked about a ball going 'over' the foul pole. We were clarifying that if it goes over the pole it's fair.

 

Who gives a crap what you call the pole?

We all appreciate your focus on what really matters in this thread.

 

The OP asked about a ball going 'over' the foul pole. We were clarifying that if it goes over the pole it's fair.

 

Who gives a crap what you call the pole?

 

Guess you didn't see where I answered the question at hand now did you?

First of all, it's a foul pole. It isn't a fair line, therefore it isn't a fair pole. Secondly, you take everything into consideration and make an educated guess. It's about all I could see the umpires doing

 

Yes I'm sure the OP was overwhelmed from the help.

A great hitter only gets a hit in one of there attempts or so. So you would be giving the defense the advantage?

where is @Clyde when you need him?

 

Assuming you actually see the ball but you just aren't 100% sure if it's fair or foul then you go with your best judgement and, as others have said, you do it with 100% certainty. In high school the more common scenario is fair/foul on a blooper in the outfield. No lines to help in most cases.