fair ball

noun

: a batted baseball that lands within the foul lines or that is within the foul lines when bounding to the outfield past first or third base or when going beyond the outfield for a home run

Examples of fair ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Through four scoreless innings, more foul balls (eight) bounced off cars in the parking than fair balls (four) bounded on the field for base hits. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024 Jeremy Riggs called it a fair ball. BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2021 An instant replay confirmed it: fair ball. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2020 Third-base umpire D.J. Reyburn, in a crouched position along the foul line just past the infield dirt, immediately ruled it a fair ball and twirled his right index finger to indicate a home run. Meghan Montemurro, chicagotribune.com, 27 June 2021 The next pitch was singled to right field where the fowl watched the fair ball fly by. San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022 Willie Stargell of the Pirates becomes the first player to hit a fair ball out of Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2022 Walker turned to argue the correct call of fair ball as the ball rolled toward the Pirates dugout, and no Mets reacted to retrieve it. BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2021 The next inning, Sean Murphy hit a ball down the left-field line that appeared on at least one replay angle to be a fair ball, and a homer. Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, 30 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair ball was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near fair ball

Cite this Entry

“Fair ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20ball. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fair ball

noun
: a batted baseball that lands within the foul lines or that is within the foul lines when bounding to the outfield past first or third base or when going beyond the outfield for a home run
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