Baseball · WBSC / Rule 10
Fair balls, catches and infield flies
WBSC · 2025–2026In short
How ball location and a completed catch determine the next play.
Fair or foul
The ball’s position and contact determine fair or foul, not where a fielder’s feet are. Before first or third base, settling or being touched matters; a ball passing the base on fair ground remains fair. A catch requires secure possession and control, not merely touching the glove.
Infield fly protection
With runners on first and second, or bases loaded, and fewer than two outs, an ordinary-effort fair infield fly can retire the batter automatically. A bunt or line drive is excluded. The ball remains live: runners may advance at their risk but must retouch after a catch. A foul ball remains foul.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025–2026, including its event-specific appendices. References use physical PDF pages. Explanations are condensed; the supplied edition and its stated competition conditions determine scope.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗