343:
190:
1797:
122:
1809:
25:
1821:
395:
374:
A strategy of swinging on any ball to try to produce additional fouls and prolong an at-bat is often used against strong pitchers to try to drive them from the game sooner (and also the possibility of the pitcher throwing a pitch a hitter can get a hit on); this does, however, have the disadvantage
321:
Until the 1920s, Major League
Baseball spectators were often ejected if they attempted to keep foul balls, and teams employed security guards to ensure it. Factors such as negative public sentiment, a decrease in the cost of baseballs relative to team revenues and increased pressure to discontinue
309:, which laid the foundation for modern baseball, also included the concept of foul territory due to a need to adapt the game when there not enough players; according to Thorn, even home runs were potentially considered foul in this set of rules, since losing the club's only ball in the nearby
173:
A foul fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on foul or fair territory at the time he touches the ball. If the foul ball gets caught, then it would be judged as an out.
357:
When there are zero or one strikes, a foul ball counts as a strike, benefiting the pitcher. However, a foul ball may reveal to the batter that he has timed a pitch well and need only make adjustment to the location of his swing on the next such pitch; this is often called a
378:
In very specific circumstance—such as in the bottom of the ninth inning (or later) of a tie game when a runner is on third base with less than two outs—outfielders may intentionally not catch deep fly balls in foul territory, as catching such a ball would create a
258:, in which the ball makes contact with the bat, travels directly to the catcher's hands, and is caught. In this case, the ball remains live and a strike is added to the batter's count. A batter who hits a foul tip with two strikes on the count is out.
161:
Touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground, while on or over foul territory. By interpretation, a batted ball that touches a batter while in his batter's box is foul regardless of whether it is over foul
251:. If any member of the fielding team catches a foul ball before it touches the ground or lands outside the field perimeter, the batter is out. However, the caught ball is in play and base runners may attempt to advance.
362:
or simply a good swing. Foul balls with two strikes are generally considered positive for the batter, since he thus avoids strike three on a potentially difficult pitch. Also, foul balls with two strikes increase the
1309:
235:
if he had fewer than two strikes. If the batter already has two strikes against him when he hits a foul ball, a strike is not issued unless the ball was
193:
The batter and catcher are the only players that are generally stationed in foul territory, with the home plate umpire nearby to call balls and strikes.
326:) combined to persuade several teams to change their foul ball policies during this period; the New York Giants changed theirs after losing a
247:
recorded for the batter and pitcher. A strike is, however, recorded for the pitcher for every foul ball the batter hits, regardless of the
166:
The entirety of the batted ball must be on or over foul territory in order to be adjudged foul in the above situations; otherwise it is a
898:
411:, legal doctrine from 1913 court case that generally prevents spectators from holding teams liable for injuries from foul balls
518:
491:
181:
may specify that batted balls striking certain fixed objects such as railings, nets, or a roof if present are foul balls.
508:
481:
334:) filed by Reuben Berman. Berman, a businessman, was ejected in 1921 after tossing a foul ball he caught into the stands.
726:
89:
621:
552:
61:
108:
305:, with its rule of halving the area that the ball could be hit in when there were less than five fielders. The 1845
302:
429:
208:
outside the first and third base lines extended to the fence and perpendicularly upwards. Note: the foul lines and
825:
68:
456:
1824:
534:
46:
265:
is often erected at each corner of the outfield. A batted ball which hits the foul pole above the fence is
75:
354:
Depending on the exact situation, a foul ball may be considered beneficial to the offense or the defense.
342:
716:
1715:
651:
42:
57:
1324:
1101:
1041:
914:
1847:
1710:
1612:
1492:
1344:
1009:
691:
35:
1780:
1745:
1725:
1652:
1557:
1507:
1462:
1447:
1076:
614:
327:
205:
1735:
1659:
1487:
1404:
1297:
1096:
1086:
298:
1700:
1519:
721:
347:
223:
base without liability to be put out, and the batter returns to home plate to continue his
209:
8:
1750:
1690:
1572:
1188:
1133:
1111:
989:
760:
671:
645:
306:
293:
The concept of foul territory was not always present in historical versions of baseball.
1773:
261:
To aid umpires in determining whether balls hit over the fence are fair or foul, a tall
152:
Settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base, or
1537:
1379:
1334:
1282:
1061:
1016:
956:
936:
731:
82:
1768:
1808:
1800:
1740:
1730:
1617:
1592:
1532:
1359:
1277:
1198:
1173:
1106:
1036:
1031:
888:
863:
785:
607:
514:
487:
269:
a foul ball, no matter where it is ultimately deflected off the pole, in this case a
232:
228:
878:
1602:
1567:
1542:
1482:
1477:
1319:
1217:
1213:
1153:
1116:
984:
893:
873:
736:
681:
248:
224:
133:
1812:
1577:
1552:
1547:
1472:
1442:
1314:
1250:
1240:
1056:
994:
833:
775:
770:
599:
400:
371:, adding to his/her fatigue, thus providing some small advantage to the offense.
236:
322:
use of worn, damaged and/or discolored baseballs (especially after the death of
1760:
1597:
1384:
1292:
1158:
1128:
1071:
1026:
999:
969:
941:
931:
868:
853:
765:
752:
711:
701:
666:
129:
1705:
1066:
577:
1841:
1755:
1685:
1607:
1409:
1235:
1203:
1193:
1168:
1021:
924:
848:
815:
408:
380:
220:
155:
Bounces and then goes past first or third base on or over foul territory, or
1720:
1695:
1457:
1437:
1424:
1287:
1262:
1143:
1081:
946:
858:
843:
838:
676:
310:
215:
In general, when a batted ball is ruled a foul ball, the ball is dead, all
178:
158:
Has its first bounce occur in foul territory beyond first or third base, or
1647:
1622:
1562:
1527:
1497:
1399:
1369:
1354:
1329:
1183:
1163:
1123:
979:
706:
696:
368:
323:
189:
1669:
1664:
1587:
1582:
1414:
1304:
1267:
1138:
883:
294:
216:
125:
121:
1394:
1374:
1339:
1257:
1178:
1004:
790:
686:
280:, foul ball does not make a strike, but four foul balls make an out.
262:
244:
167:
510:
Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret
History of the Early Game
483:
Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret
History of the Early Game
24:
16:
In baseball, generally, a struck ball that ends up in foul territory
1452:
1389:
1364:
1272:
1245:
1230:
1091:
1051:
974:
810:
748:
634:
630:
277:
270:
255:
141:
1642:
1637:
1627:
1467:
1349:
1148:
805:
800:
780:
589:
364:
1632:
1502:
964:
919:
535:"Reuben Rules Gives Souvenir-Seeking Fans a Reason to Attend"
1432:
1225:
170:
that forces the batter to attempt to reach first base.
301:, speculates that the concept may have originated from
390:
239:
to become a foul ball, in which case a third strike
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
629:
383:, potentially allowing the winning run to score.
1839:
132:, hitting a foul ball during a game against the
615:
578:"Holliday lets foul ball drop to prevent run"
553:"Reading Baseball: Remembering Reuben Berman"
622:
608:
451:
449:
332:Reuben Berman vs. National Exhibition Co.
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
341:
273:is automatically awarded to the batter.
188:
120:
446:
1840:
462:(2018 ed.). Major League Baseball
297:, the Official Baseball Historian for
603:
506:
479:
350:gives the hand signal for a foul ball
47:adding citations to reliable sources
18:
1820:
727:Comparison of baseball and softball
13:
14:
1859:
316:
1819:
1807:
1796:
1795:
430:"Rule 2.00. Definition of terms"
393:
313:would prematurely end the game.
254:A foul ball is different from a
212:are not part of foul territory.
23:
375:of generating more strikeouts.
204:is defined as that part of the
34:needs additional citations for
570:
545:
527:
500:
473:
422:
1:
415:
337:
7:
386:
184:
10:
1864:
507:Thorn, John (2012-03-20).
480:Thorn, John (2012-03-20).
283:
1789:
1678:
1516:
1423:
1212:
955:
907:
824:
747:
659:
642:
457:"Official Baseball Rules"
288:
435:. Major League Baseball
177:Additionally, ballpark
148:is a batted ball that:
1781:Variations of baseball
1746:Seventh-inning stretch
1726:List of baseball films
1558:Defensive indifference
1508:Tie goes to the runner
513:. Simon and Schuster.
486:. Simon and Schuster.
351:
328:New York Supreme Court
194:
137:
1660:Uncaught third strike
1405:Striking out the side
1087:Hitting for the cycle
345:
303:single wicket cricket
299:Major League Baseball
219:must return to their
192:
124:
1701:Bench-clearing brawl
990:Batting out of order
541:. September 9, 1986.
43:improve this article
1691:Baseball statistics
1134:Lefty-righty switch
307:Knickerbocker Rules
1538:Blocking the plate
1062:Ground rule double
1017:Charging the mound
732:fastpitch softball
352:
231:is issued for the
195:
138:
1835:
1834:
1618:Neighborhood play
1593:Hidden ball trick
1360:Pitching position
1310:Immaculate inning
1032:Designated hitter
667:Rules of baseball
520:978-0-7432-9404-1
493:978-0-7432-9404-1
119:
118:
111:
93:
1855:
1823:
1822:
1811:
1799:
1798:
1603:Infield fly rule
1573:Fielder's choice
1478:Scoring position
1325:Intentional walk
1320:Intentional balk
1154:Plate appearance
874:Pitching machine
766:Baseball diamond
737:16-inch softball
682:Infield fly rule
624:
617:
610:
601:
600:
594:
593:
587:
585:
574:
568:
567:
565:
564:
549:
543:
542:
539:Orlando Sentinel
531:
525:
524:
504:
498:
497:
477:
471:
470:
468:
467:
461:
453:
444:
443:
441:
440:
434:
426:
403:
398:
397:
396:
136:on July 2, 2006.
134:Reading Phillies
114:
107:
103:
100:
94:
92:
51:
27:
19:
1863:
1862:
1858:
1857:
1856:
1854:
1853:
1852:
1838:
1837:
1836:
1831:
1830:
1785:
1674:
1578:Fifth infielder
1553:Covering a base
1548:Caught stealing
1518:
1512:
1443:Caught stealing
1419:
1315:Inside pitching
1251:Vulcan changeup
1241:Brushback pitch
1216:
1208:
1102:Inside-the-park
1057:Golden sombrero
951:
903:
869:Glove (defense)
820:
743:
717:Unwritten rules
655:
638:
628:
598:
597:
583:
581:
576:
575:
571:
562:
560:
551:
550:
546:
533:
532:
528:
521:
505:
501:
494:
478:
474:
465:
463:
459:
455:
454:
447:
438:
436:
432:
428:
427:
423:
418:
401:Baseball portal
399:
394:
392:
389:
340:
319:
291:
286:
187:
115:
104:
98:
95:
52:
50:
40:
28:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1861:
1851:
1850:
1848:Baseball rules
1833:
1832:
1829:
1828:
1816:
1804:
1791:
1790:
1787:
1786:
1784:
1783:
1778:
1777:
1776:
1771:
1763:
1758:
1753:
1748:
1743:
1738:
1733:
1728:
1723:
1718:
1713:
1708:
1703:
1698:
1693:
1688:
1682:
1680:
1676:
1675:
1673:
1672:
1667:
1662:
1657:
1656:
1655:
1645:
1640:
1635:
1630:
1625:
1620:
1615:
1610:
1605:
1600:
1598:In-between hop
1595:
1590:
1585:
1580:
1575:
1570:
1565:
1560:
1555:
1550:
1545:
1540:
1535:
1530:
1524:
1522:
1514:
1513:
1511:
1510:
1505:
1500:
1495:
1490:
1485:
1480:
1475:
1470:
1465:
1460:
1455:
1450:
1445:
1440:
1435:
1429:
1427:
1421:
1420:
1418:
1417:
1412:
1407:
1402:
1397:
1392:
1387:
1382:
1377:
1372:
1367:
1362:
1357:
1352:
1347:
1342:
1337:
1332:
1327:
1322:
1317:
1312:
1307:
1302:
1301:
1300:
1295:
1290:
1285:
1280:
1270:
1265:
1260:
1255:
1254:
1253:
1243:
1238:
1233:
1228:
1222:
1220:
1210:
1209:
1207:
1206:
1201:
1196:
1191:
1186:
1181:
1176:
1171:
1166:
1161:
1159:Platoon system
1156:
1151:
1146:
1141:
1136:
1131:
1129:Leadoff hitter
1126:
1121:
1120:
1119:
1114:
1109:
1104:
1099:
1089:
1084:
1079:
1074:
1069:
1064:
1059:
1054:
1049:
1044:
1039:
1034:
1029:
1027:Cleanup hitter
1024:
1019:
1014:
1013:
1012:
1007:
1002:
1000:sacrifice bunt
992:
987:
982:
977:
972:
970:Baltimore chop
967:
961:
959:
953:
952:
950:
949:
944:
939:
934:
929:
928:
927:
917:
911:
909:
905:
904:
902:
901:
899:Uniform number
896:
891:
886:
881:
879:Protective cup
876:
871:
866:
861:
856:
854:Batting helmet
851:
846:
841:
836:
830:
828:
822:
821:
819:
818:
813:
808:
806:On-deck circle
803:
798:
796:Foul territory
793:
788:
783:
778:
773:
768:
763:
757:
755:
745:
744:
742:
741:
740:
739:
734:
724:
719:
714:
712:Suspended game
709:
704:
702:Protested game
699:
694:
689:
684:
679:
674:
669:
663:
661:
657:
656:
643:
640:
639:
627:
626:
619:
612:
604:
596:
595:
569:
544:
526:
519:
499:
492:
472:
445:
420:
419:
417:
414:
413:
412:
405:
404:
388:
385:
339:
336:
318:
317:Modern history
315:
290:
287:
285:
282:
198:Foul territory
186:
183:
164:
163:
159:
156:
153:
130:Erie SeaWolves
117:
116:
31:
29:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1860:
1849:
1846:
1845:
1843:
1827:
1826:
1817:
1815:
1814:
1810:
1805:
1803:
1802:
1793:
1792:
1788:
1782:
1779:
1775:
1772:
1770:
1767:
1766:
1764:
1762:
1759:
1757:
1756:Sign stealing
1754:
1752:
1749:
1747:
1744:
1742:
1739:
1737:
1734:
1732:
1729:
1727:
1724:
1722:
1719:
1717:
1714:
1712:
1709:
1707:
1704:
1702:
1699:
1697:
1694:
1692:
1689:
1687:
1686:Baseball card
1684:
1683:
1681:
1677:
1671:
1668:
1666:
1663:
1661:
1658:
1654:
1651:
1650:
1649:
1646:
1644:
1641:
1639:
1636:
1634:
1631:
1629:
1626:
1624:
1621:
1619:
1616:
1614:
1611:
1609:
1608:Infield shift
1606:
1604:
1601:
1599:
1596:
1594:
1591:
1589:
1586:
1584:
1581:
1579:
1576:
1574:
1571:
1569:
1566:
1564:
1561:
1559:
1556:
1554:
1551:
1549:
1546:
1544:
1541:
1539:
1536:
1534:
1531:
1529:
1526:
1525:
1523:
1521:
1520:(positioning)
1515:
1509:
1506:
1504:
1501:
1499:
1496:
1494:
1491:
1489:
1486:
1484:
1481:
1479:
1476:
1474:
1471:
1469:
1466:
1464:
1461:
1459:
1456:
1454:
1451:
1449:
1446:
1444:
1441:
1439:
1436:
1434:
1431:
1430:
1428:
1426:
1422:
1416:
1413:
1411:
1410:Time of pitch
1408:
1406:
1403:
1401:
1398:
1396:
1393:
1391:
1388:
1386:
1383:
1381:
1378:
1376:
1373:
1371:
1368:
1366:
1363:
1361:
1358:
1356:
1353:
1351:
1348:
1346:
1343:
1341:
1338:
1336:
1333:
1331:
1328:
1326:
1323:
1321:
1318:
1316:
1313:
1311:
1308:
1306:
1303:
1299:
1296:
1294:
1291:
1289:
1286:
1284:
1281:
1279:
1276:
1275:
1274:
1271:
1269:
1266:
1264:
1261:
1259:
1256:
1252:
1249:
1248:
1247:
1244:
1242:
1239:
1237:
1236:Breaking ball
1234:
1232:
1229:
1227:
1224:
1223:
1221:
1219:
1215:
1211:
1205:
1202:
1200:
1197:
1195:
1194:Switch hitter
1192:
1190:
1187:
1185:
1182:
1180:
1177:
1175:
1172:
1170:
1169:Sacrifice fly
1167:
1165:
1162:
1160:
1157:
1155:
1152:
1150:
1147:
1145:
1142:
1140:
1137:
1135:
1132:
1130:
1127:
1125:
1122:
1118:
1115:
1113:
1110:
1108:
1105:
1103:
1100:
1098:
1095:
1094:
1093:
1090:
1088:
1085:
1083:
1080:
1078:
1075:
1073:
1070:
1068:
1065:
1063:
1060:
1058:
1055:
1053:
1050:
1048:
1045:
1043:
1042:Double switch
1040:
1038:
1035:
1033:
1030:
1028:
1025:
1023:
1022:Checked swing
1020:
1018:
1015:
1011:
1008:
1006:
1003:
1001:
998:
997:
996:
993:
991:
988:
986:
985:Batting count
983:
981:
978:
976:
973:
971:
968:
966:
963:
962:
960:
958:
954:
948:
945:
943:
940:
938:
935:
933:
930:
926:
925:extra innings
923:
922:
921:
918:
916:
915:Batting order
913:
912:
910:
906:
900:
897:
895:
892:
890:
887:
885:
882:
880:
877:
875:
872:
870:
867:
865:
862:
860:
857:
855:
852:
850:
849:Batting glove
847:
845:
842:
840:
837:
835:
832:
831:
829:
827:
823:
817:
816:Warning track
814:
812:
809:
807:
804:
802:
799:
797:
794:
792:
789:
787:
784:
782:
779:
777:
774:
772:
769:
767:
764:
762:
759:
758:
756:
754:
750:
746:
738:
735:
733:
730:
729:
728:
725:
723:
720:
718:
715:
713:
710:
708:
705:
703:
700:
698:
695:
693:
690:
688:
685:
683:
680:
678:
675:
673:
670:
668:
665:
664:
662:
658:
654:
653:
648:
647:
641:
636:
632:
625:
620:
618:
613:
611:
606:
605:
602:
591:
579:
573:
558:
554:
548:
540:
536:
530:
522:
516:
512:
511:
503:
495:
489:
485:
484:
476:
458:
452:
450:
431:
425:
421:
410:
409:Baseball Rule
407:
406:
402:
391:
384:
382:
381:sacrifice fly
376:
372:
370:
366:
361:
355:
349:
344:
335:
333:
329:
325:
314:
312:
308:
304:
300:
296:
281:
279:
274:
272:
268:
264:
259:
257:
252:
250:
246:
243:issued and a
242:
238:
234:
230:
226:
222:
221:time-of-pitch
218:
213:
211:
207:
206:playing field
203:
199:
191:
182:
180:
175:
171:
169:
160:
157:
154:
151:
150:
149:
147:
143:
135:
131:
127:
123:
113:
110:
102:
91:
88:
84:
81:
77:
74:
70:
67:
63:
60: –
59:
55:
54:Find sources:
48:
44:
38:
37:
32:This article
30:
26:
21:
20:
1818:
1806:
1794:
1736:Scorekeeping
1721:Injured list
1711:Doubleheader
1696:Bench jockey
1613:Interference
1493:Squeeze play
1458:Left on base
1438:Bases loaded
1425:Base running
1345:Perfect game
1298:split-finger
1144:Mendoza Line
1082:Hit by pitch
1046:
1010:squeeze play
947:Pace of play
908:Game process
844:Batting cage
795:
776:Batter's eye
771:Batter's box
692:Interference
677:Ground rules
650:
644:
588:– via
584:December 16,
582:. Retrieved
572:
561:. Retrieved
559:. 2021-06-04
556:
547:
538:
529:
509:
502:
482:
475:
464:. Retrieved
437:. Retrieved
424:
377:
373:
359:
356:
353:
331:
320:
311:Hudson River
292:
275:
266:
260:
253:
240:
214:
201:
197:
196:
179:ground rules
176:
172:
165:
145:
139:
105:
99:January 2008
96:
86:
79:
72:
65:
53:
41:Please help
36:verification
33:
1825:WikiProject
1648:Triple play
1623:Passed ball
1563:Double play
1528:Appeal play
1498:Stolen base
1463:Obstruction
1448:Hit and run
1400:Strike zone
1370:Quick pitch
1355:Pitch count
1330:Knuckleball
1184:Strike zone
1164:Pull hitter
1124:Infield hit
1077:Hit and run
980:Batted ball
707:Strike zone
697:Pitch clock
369:pitch count
348:Bill Miller
324:Ray Chapman
225:turn at bat
202:foul ground
58:"Foul ball"
1670:Wheel play
1665:Wall climb
1653:unassisted
1588:Fourth out
1583:Force play
1488:Small ball
1415:Wild pitch
1305:Full count
1268:Emery ball
1218:(softball)
1189:Sweet spot
1139:Line drive
1097:Grand slam
884:Shin guard
563:2022-01-14
466:2018-09-25
439:2009-06-13
416:References
338:Strategies
295:John Thorn
210:foul poles
162:territory.
126:Nook Logan
69:newspapers
1706:Dead ball
1395:Strikeout
1375:Screwball
1340:No-hitter
1283:four-seam
1258:Curveball
1179:Strikeout
1067:Hat trick
1047:Foul ball
1005:slap bunt
937:Positions
826:Equipment
791:Foul pole
687:In flight
672:Ejections
263:foul pole
245:strikeout
168:fair ball
146:foul ball
128:, of the
1842:Category
1801:Category
1751:Shagging
1517:Fielding
1453:Lead off
1390:Spitball
1365:Pitchout
1278:two-seam
1273:Fastball
1246:Changeup
1231:Beanball
1214:Pitching
1112:Moonshot
1107:Walk-off
1092:Home run
1052:Foul tip
975:Bat flip
889:Stirrups
864:Doughnut
811:Outfield
761:Backstop
749:Ballpark
722:Cheating
652:Glossary
637:concepts
635:softball
631:Baseball
387:See also
360:good cut
278:kickball
271:home run
256:foul tip
185:Overview
142:baseball
1774:winning
1765:Streak
1679:Related
1643:Tag out
1638:Rundown
1628:Pickoff
1468:Rundown
1380:Shutout
1350:Pickoff
1149:On-deck
1117:Chinese
957:Batting
920:Innings
894:Uniform
801:Infield
781:Bullpen
646:Outline
590:YouTube
365:pitcher
346:Umpire
284:History
217:runners
83:scholar
1813:Portal
1769:losing
1741:Series
1731:Pepper
1716:Jargon
1633:Putout
1533:Assist
1503:Tag up
1385:Slider
1335:Maddux
1293:sinker
1288:cutter
1263:Eephus
1199:Triple
1174:Single
1037:Double
965:At bat
786:Dugout
517:
490:
330:case (
289:Origin
237:bunted
233:batter
229:strike
85:
78:
71:
64:
56:
1761:Slump
1568:Error
1543:Catch
1483:Slide
753:field
660:Rules
580:. MLB
460:(PDF)
433:(PDF)
267:never
249:count
90:JSTOR
76:books
1473:Safe
1433:Balk
1226:Balk
1204:Walk
995:Bunt
834:Ball
633:and
586:2021
557:WSIU
515:ISBN
488:ISBN
227:. A
144:, a
62:news
1072:Hit
942:Run
932:Out
859:Cap
839:Bat
367:'s
276:In
200:or
140:In
45:by
1844::
649:·
555:.
537:.
448:^
241:is
751:/
623:e
616:t
609:v
592:.
566:.
523:.
496:.
469:.
442:.
112:)
106:(
101:)
97:(
87:·
80:·
73:·
66:·
39:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
.jpg)