foul ball
Definition
Noun: 1. A batted baseball that lands or is first touched outside the designated fair territory: In the sport of baseball, a "foul ball" is a ball that is hit by the batter but lands or settles on or beyond the foul lines, which mark the boundaries of fair play. It is not a live ball for advancing runners, except under specific rules (e.g., caught for an out).
Usage
A "foul ball" is called by the umpire. It counts as a strike against the batter, unless the batter already has two strikes, with some exceptions (e.g., a foul bunt with two strikes is a strikeout). - The hitter sent a high foul ball into the stands behind home plate. - With two strikes, he fouled off several pitches to stay alive in the at-bat.
Advanced Usage
- "Foul tip": A special case where the ball is tipped directly from the bat into the catcher's glove and is legally caught. It is considered a strike and a live ball, differing from a standard foul ball.
- Rule Context: A foul ball is generally a dead ball. Runners must return to their bases unless the ball is caught in the air for an out.
Variants and Related Words
- Foul line (noun): Either of the two straight lines extending from home plate through the outer edges of first and third base to the outfield fence, which define fair territory.
- Foul (verb): To hit a foul ball.
- He fouled the pitch straight back.
Synonyms
- Foul (noun, informal): Often used interchangeably with "foul ball" in casual conversation.
- That was just a long foul.
Related Phrases
- Foul out (phrasal verb): To be put out by hitting a foul ball that is caught before it touches the ground.
- The batter fouled out to the third baseman.
- Foul off (phrasal verb): To hit a pitch into foul territory, often deliberately to avoid striking out or to work the count.
- She managed to foul off three tough pitches.
Noun
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(baseball) a ball struck with the bat so that it does not stay between the lines (the foul lines) that define the width of the playing field
