foul tip / foul ball

[Tim C]

For years no one explained this to me very well.

My example came on a bunt . . . the batter dipped the bat head near the ground, the ball glanced off the bat, went about 4" above the bat where F2 dove forward and caught the ball.

The ONLY reference I had was the old "foul tip" reference of "speedily and direct" so I knew it wasn't a "Foul Tip" so that left "OUT!" as my only choice.

(I remember as a kid everyone always screaming, "it didn't go above his head he can't be out!")

So my reference is one from experience - "speedily and direct" make it a foul tip.

Good Question.