Fair or Foul?

[SpeckTaker]

Why is it called a foul pole and not a fair pole? It is located in fair territory. Enlighten me.

 

[drt7891]

Same reason it's called a foul line is my best guess. Lets you know if a ball is fair or foul. I've actually heard it called a fair pole several times.

 

[thekimmer]

Here is what I have always understood...

Why is it called a foul pole and not a fair pole? It is located in fair territory. Enlighten me.

Its called a foul pole because it is an extension of and functions identically to the foul line which is also considered fair territory. Now that that mystery is solved the next logical question is why do they call the white stripes the 'foul lines'. Nothing magic there. Logically that is just what won out in the arbitrary process of naming things. Just like everything else such as bases, plates, bats, on-deck circle, dug-out, etc. that could have been called something else.

 

[biteyoudawg]

Probably because both only matter when the ball is "foul."