Foul poles Baseball field

one of 2 foul poles @ citizens bank park, philadelphia.

foul poles, if present, umpires judge whether fly ball hit above fence line foul (out of play) or fair (a home run). poles vertical extension of foul lines @ edge of field of play. outer edge of foul lines , foul poles define foul territory. both lines , poles in fair territory, in contrast football , basketball, lines marking playing boundaries out of bounds.

before 1920, foul lines extended indefinitely; batter awarded home run if fly ball out of field fair landed, or when last seen umpire. now, batted ball leaves field in flight judged fair or foul @ point leaves field. thus, such fly ball passing on fair side of foul pole, or hitting foul pole, home run regardless of ball goes thereafter.

foul poles typically higher top of outfield fence or wall, , have narrow screen running along fair side of pole. further aids umpires judgment, ball bounces off screen home run. can still difficult call, in ballparks no outfield stands behind poles provide perspective. wrigley field notorious arguments on long, curving flies down foul line (most notably in left field) sail higher foul pole.

at major league baseball fields, foul poles yellow. @ citi field orange. @ rogers centre, there no foul poles, large nets suspended roof serve same purpose. @ petco park, there no foul pole in left field; pole s function served yellow metal strip along corner of western metal supply co. building.