What is "fair ball"

Fair \Fair\ (f[^a]r), a. [Compar. Fairer; superl. Fairest.] [OE. fair, fayer, fager, AS. f[ae]ger; akin to OS. & OHG. fagar, Icel. fagr, Sw. fager, Dan. faver, Goth. fagrs fit, also to E. fay, G. f["u]gen, to fit. fegen to sweep, cleanse, and prob. also to E. fang, peace, pact, Cf. Fang, Fain, Fay to fit.]

1. Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.

   A fair white linen cloth.
   --Book of Common Prayer.

2. Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.

   Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
   --Shak.

3. Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.

   The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
   --Sir M. Hale.

4. Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; -- said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.

   You wish fair winds may waft him over.
   --Prior.

5. Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; -- said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.

   The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.
   --Sir W. Raleigh.

6. (Shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; -- said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.

7. Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; -- said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement. ``I would call it fair play.''
   --Shak.

8. Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; -- said of words, promises, etc.

   When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.
   --L' Estrange.

9. Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.

10. Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen. The news is very fair and good, my lord. --Shak. Fair ball. (Baseball)

    1. A ball passing over the home base at the height called for by the batsman, and delivered by the pitcher while wholly within the lines of his position and facing the batsman.

    2. A batted ball that falls inside the foul lines; -- called also a fair hit. Fair maid. (Zo["o]l.)

       1. The European pilchard ( Clupea pilchardus) when dried.

       2. The southern scup ( Stenotomus Gardeni). [Virginia]

          Fair one, a handsome woman; a beauty,

          Fair play, equitable or impartial treatment; a fair or equal chance; justice.

          From fair to middling, passable; tolerable. [Colloq.]

          The fair sex, the female sex.

          Syn: Candid; open; frank; ingenuous; clear; honest; equitable; impartial; reasonable. See Candid.

n. (context baseball softball English) A ball which has been hit between the first base and third base lines

n. (baseball) a ball struck with the bat so that it stays between the lines (the foul lines) that define the width of the playing field [ant: foul ball]

In baseball, a fair ball is a batted ball that entitles the batter to attempt to reach first base. In order for a batted ball to be fair, it must be hit in such a way that it:

• settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base; or
• is on or over fair territory when bounding past first or third base; or
• touches first, second, or third base (which by rule are in fair territory); or
• touches the person of an umpire or player while the ball is on or over fair territory (unless it touches the batter in the batter's box, or bounces off the ground and immediately hits the bat); or
• passes out of the playing field in flight while over fair territory, or touches any part of the foul pole, including any attached screen, while in flight; or
• strikes any object for which the specific ballpark's ground rules specify that a batted ball striking that object is a fair ball (e.g., a roof if present); or
• lands for the first time in fair territory in the outfield.

Fair territory or fair ground is defined as the area of the playing field between the two foul lines, and includes the foul lines themselves and the foul poles.

On a fair ball, the batter attempts to reach first base or any subsequent base, runners attempt to advance and fielders try to record outs. A fair ball is considered a live ball until the ball becomes dead by leaving the field or any other method.

By contrast, a foul ball is a batted ball that does not entitle the batter to attempt to reach first base.