Foul tip follies

[aceholleran]

Okay--it's an "almost happened." Assume MLB rules. 1 strike on batter. Pitch strikes bat and goes sharply and directly to catcher's mitt, where it is not caught. The sphere then ricochets straight up into the air, about 10 feet. Catcher does not see horsehide and it falls to the ground, handily enabling me to call foul ball.

Eins: NOW, if catcher catches this "tip," is it ruled a foul tip? I say, "Ja."

Zwei: OR is the batter out, due to a caught foul fly? I say, "Nein." BTW, if so, when can runners tag up?

Drei: If ball first strikes catcher's (say) chest protector and behaves the same way, what happens if catcher catches it? I say: "Foul ball, no catch, strike two."

Just grist for the mill.

Ace