Hey Sports Fans, Can you Answer These Questions?

I consider myself to be well versed when it comes to sports, but there are a few things that I just don't understand. If you are a real sports fan maybe you can answer these questions, because I can't.  

Let's start with baseball. If a batter hits the pole down the left or right field line it is considered to be a home run despite the fact the ball glanced off of the "Foul Pole." Why is it not called the fair pole?

Also in baseball, have you ever wondered why if a pitch is thrown into the dirt and scooped up by the catcher they throw the ball out of play and replace it. Yet when a batter hits a two or three hop ground ball and the fielder throws it in the dirt where it is scooped up by the first baseman the ball is eventually returned to the pitcher to be used again. What's up with that?

Let's move on to hockey. Wearing a team cap is fashionable and the cost of those hats is not cheap ($20). So why do hockey fans toss their hats on the ice after a player registers a "hat trick" (three goals in a game)? I know it's hockey tradition, but why waste a good hat? Hundreds of hats come flying onto the ice when that happens. Do these people get to "claim" their hat later after the ice is cleared of the hats?

In football, can someone explain why we don't have lasers for first down markers? It's 2016 for heaven's sake. Let's see, a wide receiver catches a pass for an obvious first down. The guy holding the first down chain marker, standing some 30 or so yards away from where the ball is placed on the field, places his end of the chain down on the sideline. Three plays later, the offensive team moves the ball approximately ten yards for a possible first down. The referee calls for the chains to come out and measure and low and behold they are 1 inch short.

With the sideline chain marked 30 or so yards away to start, how can they know the chain was placed down properly in the first place? It's a guess that could be eliminated with a laser beam. So why are we still using chains?  Also, when is the last time anyone measured the chains? Are we sure they are exactly 10 yards?

Just wondering. I need answers. Can anyone help?