quote:
Originally posted by Dave Davies:
Happened last night at LLWS
2 strikes. Pitched ball hits the dirt, then swung on. Ball hits bat and goes sharp and direct to the catchers mitt.
Foul Tip or Foul Ball?
Pro interp reads that a ball that strikes the ground and swung on can't be considered as caught strike 3. Also, a ball that hits the the ground and is then struck by the bat shall be considered as a ball In Flight. If this ball In Flight is caught by the catcher directly from the bat, is it a foul tip?
3rd World, I know. Just curious.
Dave
Dave:
This was discussed several days ago on another Board. Precognition?
The play there was:
Bases loaded, bottom of the last inning, home down by one, batter swings at a ball in the dirt and nicks it directly into the catcher's glove. The batter ran, the catcher threw the ball away, and two runs scored to give Home the victory.
The one with the play wanted to show that here is where the umpire should give the foul tip signal. (As you know, I've been arguing it is superfluous except to impart information to the fans.)
Here's what I wrote there. It is relevant to your LLWS play as well.
+++++++++
True or False: A ball that hits the ground cannot be caught in flight. Answer: True.
True or False: A batted ball that goes sharp and direct into the catcher's hands or mitt and then is caught [by the catcher] is a foul tip. Answer: True.
The instant the pitch touches the bat, it is now a batted ball. If B1 hits it into the air, it can be caught for an out. If he hits in into the mitt, then it is a caught strike. If it's the third strike, that sucker is out.
In this case the game is over.
BTW: Here is an instance where the foul tip signal is not superfluous. Remember, I pointed out the foul tip was invented to show the fans why a check swing was called a strike: The pitch nicked the bat. Here, the foul tip signal would show the same information, explaining why the batter could not try for first on the "dropped third strike."
"Myrtle, how come that batter is out?"
"Why, Gertrude, he foul tipped it into the mitt. You know, sometimes those foul tips go back to the screen. I've heard Tim McCarver talk about that a lot."
[This message has been edited by Carl Childress (edited August 24, 2000).]