fair ball

American  

noun

Baseball.

1. a batted ball that both lands and settles within the foul lines in the infield, or that is within the foul lines when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that first lands within the foul lines of the outfield or would if it were not caught or deflected.

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Etymology

Origin of fair ball

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

A trio of Pirates scored Sunday when New York pitcher Taijuan Walker knocked a barely fair ball into foul territory and nobody went to retrieve it.

From Fox News • Jul. 20, 2021

Three Pirates scored on Sunday when New York pitcher Taijuan Walker knocked a barely fair ball into foul territory and nobody went to retrieve it.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2021

Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the eighth when the ball boy down the first-base line mistakenly picked up a fair ball, resulting in a ground-rule double.

From Washington Times • May 5, 2018

When Bucky Dent of the Yankees hit a go-ahead three-run homer over the Green Monster in left field in the seventh inning, Mr. Palermo signaled that it was a fair ball.

From New York Times • May 15, 2017

At the next Darrin's judgment forbade him to offer, but the umpire judged it a fair ball, and called: "Strike two!"

From Dick Prescotts's Fourth Year at West Point Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)