fair or foul?

Question
If the batter hits the ball, then the batted ball hits the plate is the ball a foul ball? Can you tell me where to find this in the rule book?

Answer
Hi Sarah,

Thank you for your question.  I'm sure you're asking about a batted ball in the vicinity of the batter's boxes, not one that travels out beyond the bases.  A batted ball that hits the plate could be a foul ball or it could be a fair ball.  What ultimately matters is where the batted ball is first touched or settles.  If the batted ball is first touched or settles in fair territory, whether or not it has touched the plate, it is a fair ball.  If the batted ball is first touched or settles in foul territory, whether or not it has touched the plate, it is a foul ball.  A batted ball that is first touched or settles on home plate is a fair ball.  See ASA Rule 1, THE DEFINITIONS, FAIR BALL and Rule 2, THE PLAYING FIELD, the diagrams of home plate's location.

Scott Kelly