Why do umpires make a clear fair/foul ball call when it is caught? I can't think of what difference this would make. In any event, the batter is out, baserunners advance under the same rules, etc.
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You're right about fair/foul not having that much significance (other than scoring) on a caught fly. It's just the way it's taught. Our basic responsibilities are: ball/strike, fair/foul, catch/no catch, everything else, and the calls will always be made in that order.
Dash is correct. It is taught that way just in case it isn't caught. If for some reason the ball is dropped the participants need to know if it is fair or foul. It is best to always do it this way so you don't mess up and have it blow it up on you.
Combine the two answers above and leave out "It's just the way it's taught."
The umpire's priority of calls is ball/strike, fair/foul, catch/no catch.
A "foul fly" is called foul first because that is what happens first. It is foul on the touch, not the catch, and there can be a delay between the two, or a touch may not result in a catch at all.
Make the calls in the proper sequence and there in no confusion.
The umpire's priority of calls is ball/strike, fair/foul, catch/no catch.
A "foul fly" is called foul first because that is what happens first. It is foul on the touch, not the catch, and there can be a delay between the two, or a touch may not result in a catch at all.
Make the calls in the proper sequence and there in no confusion.