Foul ball hits base runner, is runner out?

by Jim
(Phoenix, AZ)

Jim asked: Batter hits a foul down third base line.

The ball hits the runner who has a lead-off from third base.

Is the runner out?

At what point is the ball not "alive"?


Rick answered: Jim, thank you for your question.

As you look at the image above, you will see the runner leading from third base, leads off in foul territory.

Runners do that, so that if they are hit by a batted ball, while they are in foul territory, they are not out. Once the ball hits a runner in foul territory, the ball is dead.

If the batter leads off in fair territory and gets hit with a batted ball, the ball is immediately dead, and the runner is out.


Yours in baseball,

Rick