Coaches who know umpiring

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

I know that's not rule book text, but what criteria would you use to differentiate a foul tip from a caught fly ball?

When could a hit ball that never went above Batters head, that ended up behind the batter, caught by F2 be a caught fly out instead of a foul tip?

I can't picture it.
So though it might not be the "rule" practically speaking it's accurate.

If it's a foul ball hit in front of the batter and is caught makes no difference the height, but I dont know how F2 could catch it if it didn't pop-up above the head.

I think you have it "backwards". It's not "this is a fly and everything else is a foul tip." It's "this is a foul tip and everything else is a fly."

So, if it's not sharp and direct (iow, if there's any arc, even if it doesn't go above the head) it's a fly, and an out if it's caught.