[DSUAUmpire]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

The foul tip has been ignored in the SP game for years because it really didn't make a difference as to the runner's status. Now that there is stealing involved, some people have seen how it works and can make a difference.

A foul tip is unintentional. More likely than not, a foul tip is caught by the catcher in the same location the ball would have been caught had the bat not contacted the ball. A batted ball, caught in flight, has always been an out by rule with the exception of a foul tip.

Explanations to someone who doesn't understand the rule:

A line drive to a pitcher or any infielder may not go over the batter's head, but if caught, is an out. Why would it be different with a ball over foul territory. It requires much more reactive skill/ability for a catcher to snag a poorly batted ball not higher than the batter's head in flight than any other fly ball.

If a blooper in front of the plate which does not go above the batter's head can advance the BR to first safely counts as a hit, why wouldn't the equally batted ball in the opposited direction be caught for an out?

When the response is, "but it was foul!", remind them that a ball cannot be foul until it touches the ground or something not in fair territory other than a defender or defender's glove.

Sorry Mike, I don't buy your explaination or misunderstand. What in your opinion would be a foul tip. A foul tip is always a strike and remins live in SP with stealing. A line drive directly back to the pitcher which is caught is an out, directly back to the catcher which is caught would be the defition of a foul tip. (by rule) The catcher is a defender and a ball hitting him without first touching his glove is foul.