GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Why can a fair batted ball over an MLB fence award two bases instead of a home run?
A home run requires the specified boundary exit: a fair ball must pass over the fence or into the stands in flight at least 250 feet from home plate, and the batter must touch all bases legally. At a point less than 250 feet from home, the batter advances to second only. A fair ball that passes through or under a fence or scoreboard, through an opening, or sticks in a fence or scoreboard receives the listed two-base award whether or not it first touched the ground; a ball that bounces out has its own two-base branch. A fielder-deflected fair fly receives a different award only when it exits into the stands or over a fence: an exit into foul territory gives the batter second, while an exit into fair territory can be a home run, subject to the under-250-foot exception. Awarded and intervening bases still must be touched.
For Fans and players trying to distinguish a home run from a two-base award when a fair batted ball leaves the field. · Updated
First separate a ball leaving in flight from one that bounces
Rule 5.05(a)(5) gives a home run when a fair ball passes over a fence or into the stands in flight at least 250 feet from home plate, after the batter touches all bases legally. At a point less than 250 feet, the batter advances to second only.
Rule 5.05(a)(7) gives two bases when a fair ball passes through or under a fence or scoreboard, through an opening in the fence or scoreboard, or sticks in a fence or scoreboard; that branch applies whether or not the ball has touched the ground. The separate Rule 5.05(a)(6) branch covers a fair ball that first touches the ground and then bounds into the stands or passes through, over, or under a listed boundary. Other outcomes depend on whether the ball is an in-flight fair fly or is deflected by a fielder.
A fielder’s deflection changes the branch
For a bounding fair ball deflected by a fielder into the stands or over or under a fence on fair or foul territory, the batter and runners receive the stated two-base award. A fair fly deflected out into foul territory gives the batter second; if deflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory, it is a home run, except when the deflection point is less than 250 feet from home plate, when the batter receives second only.
Use the ball’s position and complete the base award
The fair-ball definitions look to the ball’s position relative to the foul lines and poles, not whether the fielder stands in fair or foul territory. When the ball is on the ground, it must contact fair territory; merely being above fair territory is not enough.
A base award does not erase the obligation to touch the awarded base and each intervening base. This guide covers ordinary boundary outcomes, not fan interference, a completed catch followed by a fielder entering dead territory, or a thrown-glove penalty.
Three fictional boundary paths
For a fictional rule illustration, imagine a fair fly that leaves in flight at a boundary at least 250 feet from home plate; after legally touching the bases, the batter earns a home run. In a separate branch, a fair ground ball bounces and then goes over the fence, so the ordinary award is two bases. In another, an ordinary fielder deflects a fair fly into foul-territory stands, and the batter is entitled to second rather than a home run. The under-250-foot rule is a separate limit for the listed in-flight and deflected-fly branches; these examples state no real park measurement or ground rule.
Related questions
Does any fair ball that goes over the fence count as a home run?
No. A ball that bounces out ordinarily receives two bases, and the fair-fly rule includes a less-than-250-foot limit.
Does a fair fly deflected into foul territory over the fence count as a home run?
No. The cited rule gives the batter second for that branch. A fair-territory deflection has a different result, subject to the 250-foot exception.
Do runners have to touch bases after an award?
Yes. An award does not remove the obligation to touch the awarded base and each intervening base.