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 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 The rule applies only to fair balls, and this one blew fair at the last moment, apparently too late to make the call. Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, 7 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fair ball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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