if a ball is hit by the batter and then hits either 1st or 3rd base without touching the ground and then goes into the stands over the dugout

by Bob
(Galveston, Texas)

Bob asked: If a ball is hit by the batter and hits either first or third base without touching the ground,then goes into the stands,is this a home run?


Rick answered: Bob, thank you for your question.

Definition: A fair ball is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and third base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.


The batted ball is fair, if it hits first, second, or third base.

It remains fair, up until the ball crosses the field barrier ( in this case the dugout), at which time it becomes a dead ball.

Batter entitled to first base and recorded a base hit.

As you look at the image of the stadium above, the close proximity to the stands in most parks provides for such an opportunity to occur. Just depends on the luck of the bounce.

Can't be a home run, as those awards go to fly balls, which leave the yard between the foul poles, and over the outfield fence.


Yours in baseball,

Rick