Dead Ball Foul or Out

Question
QUESTION: At what point does a ball become foul when it hits home plate directly off the bat?  Is there a plane it needs to cross or is it fair until it hits in foul territory?  Does catcher need to be in fair territory for it to be called a fair ball?

ANSWER: Hi Rich,

a batted ball that hits home plate (which is in fair territory) is a fair ball unless after hitting home plate it enters foul ball territory before passing 1st or 3rd and is touched by a defensive player or settles.

the position of the catcher does not matter, only the position of the ball, the same as any other defensive player.

mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Situation: Batter bunts ball which hits in fair territory, batter drops bat and runs to first. Bunted ball rolls backwards and makes contact with bat which is laying in fair territory. Is this a dead ball foul ball or dead ball batter out?

Answer
Hi Rich,

If THE BALL hits the bat (dropped or thrown) in fair territory the batter would not be out nor would it be a dead ball. Now if the ball after hitting the bat settles or is touched in fair territory, it is a fair, live ball.  If the ball settles or is touched in foul territory, foul ball.  So after the ball hits the bat it remains live and we need to see what else happens to have a fair or foul ball.

Just to complete the rest of the scenarios....

If the ball hits the bat in foul territory it is a dead ball, foul ball.

If THE BAT hits the ball in fair territory, dead ball, batter out, runners return.

If the bat hits the ball in foul territory, dead ball, foul ball.

Mark