Foul Tip

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by jicecone

OBS - "A fly ball is a batted ball that goes high in the air in flight".

NFHS - "A fly ball is a batted ball that rises an appreciable height above the ground."

NCAA - A batted ball that goes high in the air directly off the bat.

I think the NCAA definition using the word highlighted, answers your question for all codes. You, as the umpire, are to make the determination what "high in the air" or "appreciable height" means.

Then would it not be possible to line out to 1B or 3B if the catch is made in foul ground? Or...wait a minute...is it not possible to line out anywhere? But wait again...Matt wrote:

A ball doesn't have to be a fly ball to be caught for an out.

Ok, that's something of a relief. So what kinds of ball can be caught for an out? Are the criteria different in fair & foul ground? Or different for catchers from other players?

I'm looking at NCAA 7-11 now, and I don't see any provision for a catch of anything other than a fly ball or foul tip to make an out. Which does seem to mean you can't line out, fair or foul. Did they sneak it in someplace else?

The definition of "catch" is interesting too. When it says "the fielder does not use...any...part of the uniform in getting possession", does that mean only loose-fitting parts of the uniform that can extend a distance from the body, or does it include any cloth covering any of the player's skin, no matter how closely? And does "use" cover inadvertent deflections, or only deliberate use?