In the case of a fair ball going out of play, what is the ruling?

When a fair ball goes out of play, the correct ruling is that the runners are awarded two bases from the time of the pitch. This rule is designed to provide a consistent basis for determining how far runners are allowed to advance when a fair ball has become dead due to being out of play.

The rationale behind awarding two bases is that it compensates the runners for the distance they would have potentially gained had the ball remained in play. This rule serves to ensure fairness in the game, especially in situations where the ball might leave the field unexpectedly, allowing runners to advance as if the ball were still in play.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the rules governing such a situation. For instance, merely awarding one base without considering the nature of the hit would not adequately accommodate the potential advancement that could have occurred from a fair ball. Additionally, requiring runners to return to the last base touched would be inappropriate, as it would negate their right to advance due to the circumstances in which the ball left play. Lastly, declaring the ball dead and preventing any advancement does not align with the common understanding of how fair balls are treated in such scenarios.